Absorbent articles having laminates exhibiting vibrant graphics perception

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article comprises a topsheet, backsheet, and absorbent core positioned intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, and an outer cover nonwoven material. The outer cover nonwoven material comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on the first surface and/or the second surface. At least some of the three-dimensional features each comprise a first region and a second region. The first regions have a first value of an average intensive property. The second regions have a second, different value of the average intensive property. A garment-facing side of the backsheet comprises one or more visually vibrant graphics. A portion of the visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features overlaps a portion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics. The portion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics exhibits a chroma value greater than 8.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 63/031,086, filed on May 28, 2020,the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure is generally directed to absorbent articlescomprising laminates exhibiting vibrant graphics perception. The presentdisclosure is also directed to absorbent articles comprising laminatescomprising nonwoven webs with visually discernible patterns incombination with color graphics for improved, overall vibrant graphicsperception.

BACKGROUND

Absorbent articles comprising nonwoven webs are used in the hygieneindustry to contain and absorb bodily exudates (i.e., urine, bowelmovements, and menses) in infants, toddlers, children, and adults.Absorbent articles may include, but not be limited to, diapers, pants,adult incontinence products, feminine care products, and absorbent pads.Various components of these absorbent articles comprise one or morenonwoven webs. Some example components that comprise nonwoven webs areouter cover nonwoven materials, portions of belts, landing zones, andtopsheets, for example. In some instances, one or more graphics areprinted on backsheet films of absorbent articles. It is sometimesdesirable for these graphics to be viewable through the topsheet orthrough the outer cover nonwoven materials. When outer cover nonwovenmaterials or topsheets are planar, non-variable intensive property webs,the graphics are mottled, uniformly muted, and/or uniformly masked to adegree from the view of a consumer observing through the topsheets orthe outer cover nonwoven materials. As such, outer cover nonwovenmaterials, topsheets, and backsheet graphics should be improved.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides, in part, absorbent articles comprisinglaminates exhibiting vibrant graphics perception. The present disclosurealso provides, in part, absorbent articles comprising laminatescomprising nonwoven webs with visually discernible patterns ofthree-dimensional features in combination with backsheet color graphicsfor improved, overall vibrant graphics perception. The laminates maycomprise one or more nonwoven webs that overlap a backsheet. Thenonwoven webs of the present disclosure allow one or more graphics onthe backsheet to be more visually vibrant to consumers when viewedthrough the nonwoven webs. This enhances the consumer experience. Thenonwoven webs may be topsheets, portions of belts, landing zones, orouter cover nonwoven materials, for example. The nonwoven webs maycomprise variable average intensive property webs. This allows certainportions of the one or more graphics on backsheet to be more or lessvisually vibrant through the nonwoven webs, creating an enhanced vibrantgraphics consumer experience. As an example, the nonwoven webs maycomprise one or more visually discernible patterns of three-dimensionalfeatures on a first surface or a second surface thereof. At least someof the three-dimensional features may each comprise a first region and asecond region. The first regions may have a first value of an averageintensive property. The second regions may have a second value of theaverage intensive property. The first and second values may bedifferent. A portion of the visually discernible pattern ofthree-dimensional features may overlap the one or more graphics printedon the backsheet to allow regions of the graphics to be more visuallyvibrant in either the first or second regions. The one or more visuallyvibrant graphics on the backsheet film greatly increases the perceptionof the one or more visually discernible patterns of the nonwoven web,when the nonwoven web is overlapped with the one or more visuallyvibrant graphics.

The present disclosure provides, in part, an absorbent article comprisesa liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, anabsorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheetand the backsheet, and an outer cover nonwoven material. The outer covernonwoven material comprises a first garment-facing surface, a secondbacksheet-facing surface, and a visually discernible pattern ofthree-dimensional features on the first surface or the second surface.At least some of the three-dimensional features each comprise a firstregion and a second region. The first regions have a first value of anaverage intensive property. The second regions have a second value ofthe average intensive property. The first value and the second value aredifferent. A garment-facing side of the backsheet comprises one or morevisually vibrant graphics. A portion of the visually discernible patternof three-dimensional features overlaps a portion of the one or morevisually vibrant graphics. The portion of the one or more visuallyvibrant graphics exhibits a chroma value greater than 8, according tothe Backsheet Graphic Color Test.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the presentdisclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparentand the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to thefollowing description of example forms of the disclosure taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example absorbent article in the form of ataped diaper, garment-facing surface facing the viewer, in a flatlaid-out state;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the example absorbent article of FIG. 1,wearer-facing surface facing the viewer, in a flat laid-out state;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the absorbent article of FIGS. 1and 2 in a fastened position;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an absorbent article in the formof a pant;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the absorbent article of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the absorbent article of FIG. 4, laid flat,with a garment-facing surface facing the viewer;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken aboutline 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken aboutline 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an example absorbent core or an absorbentarticle;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view, taken about line 10-10, of theabsorbent core of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, taken about line 11-11, of theabsorbent core of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an example absorbent article of the presentdisclosure that is a sanitary napkin;

FIG. 13A is a schematic drawing illustrating a cross-section of afilament made with a primary component A and a secondary component B ina side-by-side arrangement;

FIG. 13B is a schematic drawing illustrating a cross-section of afilament made with a primary component A and a secondary component B inan eccentric sheath/core arrangement;

FIG. 13C is a schematic drawing illustrating a cross-section of afilament made with a primary component A and a secondary component B ina concentric sheath/core arrangement;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view photograph of a tri-lobal, bicomponentfiber;

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of an example apparatus for makingthe nonwoven webs of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a detail of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 15 for bondinga portion of the nonwoven webs of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a further detail of a portion of the apparatus for bonding aportion of the nonwoven webs of the present disclosure, taken fromdetail FIG. 17 in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a detail of a portion of the apparatus for optionaladditional bonding of a portion of the nonwoven webs of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 19 is a photograph of an example nonwoven web with a differentdesign than the nonwoven webs of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a photograph of a portion of a forming belt with e differentdesign for forming nonwoven webs;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional depiction of a portion of the forming belt,taken about line 21-21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is an image of a portion of a mask utilized to at least in partcreate the forming belt of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a liquid impermeable backsheet comprising oneor more visually vibrant graphics;

FIG. 24 is a plan view of an outer cover nonwoven material or topsheetcomprising a visually discernible pattern of three dimensional features;

FIG. 25 is a laminate formed by the overlap of the liquid impermeablebacksheet of FIG. 23 and the outer cover nonwoven material or topsheetof FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of a liquid impermeable backsheet comprising oneor more visually vibrant graphics;

FIG. 27 is a plan view of an outer cover nonwoven material or topsheetcomprising a visually discernible pattern of three dimensional features;

FIG. 28 is a plan view of a laminate formed by the overlap of the liquidimpermeable backsheet of FIG. 26 and the outer cover nonwoven materialor topsheet of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a plan view of an outer cover nonwoven material or topsheetcomprising a plurality of recognizable, discrete indicia;

FIGS. 30-32 are examples of stitch-like patterns for backsheets; and

FIG. 33 is a plan view of a liquid impermeable backsheet comprising oneor more visually vibrant graphics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting forms of the present disclosure will now bedescribed to provide an overall understanding of the principles of thestructure, function, manufacture, and use of the absorbent articleshaving laminates exhibiting vibrant graphics perception disclosedherein. One or more examples of these non-limiting forms are illustratedin the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that the absorbent articles having laminates exhibitingvibrant graphics perception described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting example forms and that the scopeof the various non-limiting forms of the present disclosure are definedsolely by the claims. The features illustrated or described inconnection with one non-limiting form may be combined with the featuresof other non-limiting forms. Such modifications and variations areintended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Prior to a discussion of the nonwoven webs with visually discernablepatterns and the laminates with visually vibrant graphics perception,absorbent articles and their components and features will be discussedas possible uses of the nonwoven webs. It will be understood that thenonwoven webs with visually discernable patterns and the laminates withvisually vibrant graphics perception also have other uses in otherproducts, such as in the medical field and/or the cleaning and/ordusting field, for example.

General Description of an Absorbent Article

An example absorbent article 10 according to the present disclosure,shown in the form of a taped diaper, is represented in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1is a plan view of the example absorbent article 10, garment-facingsurface 2 facing the viewer in a flat, laid-out state (i.e., no elasticcontraction). FIG. 2 is a plan view of the example absorbent article 10of FIG. 1, wearer-facing surface 4 facing the viewer in a flat, laid-outstate. FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the absorbent article 10 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 in a fastened configuration. The absorbent article 10 ofFIGS. 1-3 is shown for illustration purposes only as the presentdisclosure may be used for making a wide variety of diapers, includingadult incontinence products, pants, or other absorbent articles, such assanitary napkins and absorbent pads, for example.

The absorbent article 10 may comprise a front waist region 12, a crotchregion 14, and a back waist region 16. The crotch region 14 may extendintermediate the front waist region 12 and the back waist region 16. Thefront wait region 12, the crotch region 14, and the back waist region 16may each be ⅓ of the length of the absorbent article 10. The absorbentarticle 10 may comprise a front end edge 18, a back end edge 20 oppositeto the front end edge 18, and longitudinally extending, transverselyopposed side edges 22 and 24 defined by the chassis 52.

The absorbent article 10 may comprise a liquid permeable topsheet 26, aliquid impermeable backsheet 28, and an absorbent core 30 positioned atleast partially intermediate the topsheet 26 and the backsheet 28. Theabsorbent article 10 may also comprise one or more pairs of barrier legcuffs 32 with or without elastics 33, one or more pairs of leg elastics34, one or more elastic waistbands 36, and/or one or more acquisitionmaterials 38. The acquisition material or materials 38 may be positionedintermediate the topsheet 26 and the absorbent core 30. An outer covernonwoven material 40, such as a nonwoven web, may cover a garment-facingside of the backsheet 28. The absorbent article 10 may comprise backears 42 in the back waist region 16. The back ears 42 may comprisefasteners 46 and may extend from the back waist region 16 of theabsorbent article 10 and attach (using the fasteners 46) to the landingzone area or landing zone material 44 on a garment-facing portion of thefront waist region 12 of the absorbent article 10. The absorbent article10 may also have front ears 47 in the front waist region 12. Instead oftwo front ears 47, the absorbent article 10 may have a single piecefront belt that may function as a landing zone as well. The absorbentarticle 10 may have a central lateral (or transverse) axis 48 and acentral longitudinal axis 50. The central lateral axis 48 extendsperpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 50.

In other instances, the absorbent article may be in the form of a panthaving permanent or refastenable side seams. Suitable refastenable seamsare disclosed in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2014/0005020 and U.S. Pat. No.9,421,137. Referring to FIGS. 4-8, an example absorbent article 10 inthe form of a pant is illustrated. FIG. 4 is a front perspective view ofthe absorbent article 10. FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of theabsorbent article 10. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the absorbent article 10,laid flat, with the garment-facing surface facing the viewer. Elementsof FIG. 4-8 having the same reference number as described above withrespect to FIGS. 1-3 may be the same element (e.g., absorbent core 30).FIG. 7 is an example cross-sectional view of the absorbent article takenabout line 7-7 of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an example cross-sectional view ofthe absorbent article taken about line 8-8 of FIG. 6. FIGS. 7 and 8illustrate example forms of front and back belts 54, 56. The absorbentarticle 10 may have a front waist region 12, a crotch region 14, and aback waist region 16. Each of the regions 12, 14, and 16 may be ⅓ of thelength of the absorbent article 10. The absorbent article 10 may have achassis 52 (sometimes referred to as a central chassis or central panel)comprising a topsheet 26, a backsheet 28, and an absorbent core 30disposed at least partially intermediate the topsheet 26 and thebacksheet 28, and an optional acquisition material 38, similar to thatas described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3. The absorbent article 10may comprise a front belt 54 in the front waist region 12 and a backbelt 56 in the back waist region 16. The chassis 52 may be joined to awearer-facing surface 4 of the front and back belts 54, 56 or to agarment-facing surface 2 of the belts 54, 56. Side edges 23 and 25 ofthe front belt 54 may be joined to side edges 27 and 29, respectively,of the back belt 56 to form two side seams 58. The side seams 58 may beany suitable seams known to those of skill in the art, such as buttseams or overlap seams, for example. When the side seams 58 arepermanently formed or refastenably closed, the absorbent article 10 inthe form of a pant has two leg openings 60 and a waist openingcircumference 62. The side seams 58 may be permanently joined usingadhesives or bonds, for example, or may be refastenably closed usinghook and loop fasteners, for example.

Belts

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the front and back belts 54 and 56 maycomprise front and back inner belt layers 66 and 67 and front and backouter belt layers 64 and 65 having an elastomeric material (e.g.,strands 68 or a film (which may be apertured)) disposed at leastpartially therebetween. The elastic elements 68 or the film may berelaxed (including being cut) to reduce elastic strain over theabsorbent core 30 or, may alternatively, run continuously across theabsorbent core 30. The elastics elements 68 may have uniform or variablespacing therebetween in any portion of the belts. The elastic elements68 may also be pre-strained the same amount or different amounts. Thefront and/or back belts 54 and 56 may have one or more elastic elementfree zones 70 where the chassis 52 overlaps the belts 54, 56. In otherinstances, at least some of the elastic elements 68 may extendcontinuously across the chassis 52.

The front and back inner belt layers 66, 67 and the front and back outerbelt layers 64, 65 may be joined using adhesives, heat bonds, pressurebonds or thermoplastic bonds. Various suitable belt layer configurationscan be found in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2013/0211363.

Front and back belt end edges 55 and 57 may extend longitudinally beyondthe front and back chassis end edges 19 and 21 (as shown in FIG. 6) orthey may be co-terminus. The front and back belt side edges 23, 25, 27,and 29 may extend laterally beyond the chassis side edges 22 and 24. Thefront and back belts 54 and 56 may be continuous (i.e., having at leastone layer that is continuous) from belt side edge to belt side edge(e.g., the transverse distances from 23 to 25 and from 27 to 29).Alternatively, the front and back belts 54 and 56 may be discontinuousfrom belt side edge to belt side edge (e.g., the transverse distancesfrom 23 to 25 and 27 to 29), such that they are discrete.

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,901,393, the longitudinal length (alongthe central longitudinal axis 50) of the back belt 56 may be greaterthan the longitudinal length of the front belt 54, and this may beparticularly useful for increased buttocks coverage when the back belt56 has a greater longitudinal length versus the front belt 54 adjacentto or immediately adjacent to the side seams 58.

The front outer belt layer 64 and the back outer belt layer 65 may beseparated from each other, such that the layers are discrete or,alternatively, these layers may be continuous, such that a layer runscontinuously from the front belt end edge 55 to the back belt end edge57. This may also be true for the front and back inner belt layers 66and 67—that is, they may also be longitudinally discrete or continuous.Further, the front and back outer belt layers 64 and 65 may belongitudinally continuous while the front and back inner belt layers 66and 67 are longitudinally discrete, such that a gap is formed betweenthem—a gap between the front and back inner and outer belt layers 64,65, 66, and 67 is shown in FIG. 7 and a gap between the front and backinner belt layers 66 and 67 is shown in FIG. 8.

The front and back belts 54 and 56 may include slits, holes, and/orperforations providing increased breathability, softness, and agarment-like texture. Underwear-like appearance can be enhanced bysubstantially aligning the waist and leg edges at the side seams 58 (seeFIGS. 4 and 5).

The front and back belts 54 and 56 may comprise graphics (see e.g., 78of FIG. 1). The graphics may extend substantially around the entirecircumference of the absorbent article 10 and may be disposed acrossside seams 58 and/or across proximal front and back belt seams 15 and17; or, alternatively, adjacent to the seams 58, 15, and 17 in themanner described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,498,389 to create a moreunderwear-like article. The graphics may also be discontinuous.

Alternatively, instead of attaching belts 54 and 56 to the chassis 52 toform a pant, discrete side panels may be attached to side edges of thechassis 22 and 24.

The nonwoven webs with visually discernable patterns may be used asportions of belts positioned over one or more visually vibrant graphicson a backsheet film to achieve the benefits of the present disclosure.

Top Sheet

The topsheet 26 is the part of the absorbent article 10 that is incontact with the wearer's skin. The topsheet 26 may be joined toportions of the backsheet 28, the absorbent core 30, the barrier legcuffs 32, and/or any other layers as is known to those of ordinary skillin the art. The topsheet 26 may be compliant, soft-feeling, andnon-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of, orall of, the topsheet may be liquid permeable, permitting liquid bodilyexudates to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheetmay be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porousfoams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, woven materials,nonwoven webs, woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood orcotton fibers), synthetic fibers or filaments (e.g., polyester orpolypropylene or bicomponent PE/PP fibers or mixtures thereof), or acombination of natural and synthetic fibers. The topsheet may have oneor more layers. The topsheet may be apertured (FIG. 2, element 31), mayhave any suitable three-dimensional features, and/or may have aplurality of embossments (e.g., a bond pattern). The topsheet may beapertured by overbonding a material and then rupturing the overbondsthrough ring rolling, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,097, toBenson et al., issued on May 13, 1997 and disclosed in U.S. Pat. Appl.Publication No. US 2016/0136014 to Arora et al. Any portion of thetopsheet may be coated with a skin care composition, an antibacterialagent, a surfactant, and/or other beneficial agents. The topsheet may behydrophilic or hydrophobic or may have hydrophilic and/or hydrophobicportions or layers. If the topsheet is hydrophobic, typically apertureswill be present so that bodily exudates may pass through the topsheet.

The nonwoven webs with visually discernable patterns may be used astopsheets positioned over one or more visually vibrant graphics on abacksheet film to achieve the benefits of the present disclosure.

Backsheet

The backsheet 28 is generally that portion of the absorbent article 10positioned proximate to the garment-facing surface of the absorbent core30. The backsheet 28 may be joined to portions of the topsheet 26, theouter cover nonwoven material 40, the absorbent core 30, and/or anyother layers of the absorbent article by any attachment methods known tothose of skill in the art. The backsheet 28 prevents, or at leastinhibits, the bodily exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbentcore 10 from soiling articles such as bedsheets, undergarments, and/orclothing. The backsheet is typically liquid impermeable, or at leastsubstantially liquid impermeable. The backsheet may, for example, be orcomprise a thin plastic film, such as a thermoplastic film having athickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Other suitable backsheetmaterials may include breathable materials which permit vapors to escapefrom the absorbent article, while still preventing, or at leastinhibiting, bodily exudates from passing through the backsheet. Thebacksheet may comprise one or more visually vibrant graphics on either awearer and/or garment facing side thereof.

Outer Cover Nonwoven Material

The outer cover nonwoven material (sometimes referred to as a backsheetnonwoven) 40 may comprise one or more nonwoven materials joined to thebacksheet 28 and that covers the backsheet 28. The outer cover nonwovenmaterial 40 forms at least a portion of the garment-facing surface 2 ofthe absorbent article 10 and effectively “covers” the backsheet 28 sothat film is not present on the garment-facing surface 2.

The nonwoven webs with visually discernable patterns may be used as anouter cover nonwoven material positioned over one or more visuallyvibrant graphics on a backsheet film to achieve the benefits of thepresent disclosure.

Absorbent Core

As used herein, the term “absorbent core” 30 refers to the component ofthe absorbent article 10 having the most absorbent capacity and thatcomprises an absorbent material. Referring to FIGS. 9-11, in someinstances, absorbent material 72 may be positioned within a core bag ora core wrap 74. The absorbent material may be profiled or not profiled,depending on the specific absorbent article. The absorbent core 30 maycomprise, consist essentially of, or consist of, a core wrap, absorbentmaterial 72, and glue enclosed within the core wrap. The absorbentmaterial may comprise superabsorbent polymers, a mixture ofsuperabsorbent polymers and air felt, only air felt, and/or a highinternal phase emulsion foam. In some instances, the absorbent materialmay comprise at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, atleast 99%, or up to 100% superabsorbent polymers, by weight of theabsorbent material. In such instances, the absorbent material may befree of air felt, or at least mostly free of air felt. The absorbentcore periphery, which may be the periphery of the core wrap, may defineany suitable shape, such as rectangular “T,” “Y,” “hour-glass,” or“dog-bone” shaped, for example. An absorbent core periphery having agenerally “dog bone” or “hour-glass” shape may taper along its widthtowards the crotch region 14 of the absorbent article 10.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, the absorbent core 30 may have areas havinglittle or no absorbent material 72, where a wearer-facing surface of thecore bag 74 may be joined to a garment-facing surface of the core bag74. These areas having little or no absorbent material and may bereferred to as “channels” 76. These channels can embody any suitableshapes and any suitable number of channels may be provided. In otherinstances, the absorbent core may be embossed to create the impressionof channels. The absorbent core in FIGS. 9-11 is merely an exampleabsorbent core. Many other absorbent cores with or without channels arealso within the scope of the present disclosure.

Barrier Leg Cuffs/Leg Elastics

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, the absorbent article 10 maycomprise one or more pairs of barrier leg cuffs 32 and one or more pairsof leg elastics 34. The barrier leg cuffs 32 may be positioned laterallyinboard of leg elastics 34. Each barrier leg cuff 32 may be formed by apiece of material which is bonded to the absorbent article 10 so it canextend upwards from a wearer-facing surface 4 of the absorbent article10 and provide improved containment of body exudates approximately atthe junction of the torso and legs of the wearer. The barrier leg cuffs32 are delimited by a proximal edge joined directly or indirectly to thetopsheet and/or the backsheet and a free terminal edge, which isintended to contact and form a seal with the wearer's skin. The barrierleg cuffs 32 may extend at least partially between the front end edge 18and the back end edge 20 of the absorbent article 10 on opposite sidesof the central longitudinal axis 50 and may be at least present in thecrotch region 14. The barrier leg cuffs 32 may each comprise one or moreelastics 33 (e.g., elastic strands or strips) near or at the freeterminal edge. These elastics 33 cause the barrier leg cuffs 32 to helpform a seal around the legs and torso of a wearer. The leg elastics 34extend at least partially between the front end edge 18 and the back endedge 20. The leg elastics 34 essentially cause portions of the absorbentarticle 10 proximate to the chassis side edges 22, 24 to help form aseal around the legs of the wearer. The leg elastics 34 may extend atleast within the crotch region 14.

Waistband

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the absorbent article 10 may comprise one ormore elastic waistbands 36 or non-elastic waistband. The elasticwaistbands 36 may be positioned on the garment-facing surface 2 or thewearer-facing surface 4. As an example, a first elastic waistband 36 maybe present in the front waist region 12 near the front belt end edge 18and a second elastic waistband 36 may be present in the back waistregion 16 near the back end edge 20. The elastic waistbands 36 may aidin sealing the absorbent article 10 around a waist of a wearer and atleast inhibiting bodily exudates from escaping the absorbent article 10through the waist opening circumference. In some instances, an elasticwaistband may fully surround the waist opening circumference of anabsorbent article.

The nonwoven webs with visually discernable patterns may be used asportions of waist bands positioned over one or more visually vibrantgraphics on a backsheet film to achieve the benefits of the presentdisclosure.

Acquisition Materials

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8, one or more acquisition materials 38may be present at least partially intermediate the topsheet 26 and theabsorbent core 30. The acquisition materials 38 are typicallyhydrophilic materials that provide significant wicking of bodilyexudates. These materials may dewater the topsheet 26 and quickly movebodily exudates into the absorbent core 30. The acquisition materials 38may comprise one or more nonwoven webs, foams, cellulosic materials,cross-linked cellulosic materials, air laid cellulosic nonwoven webs,spunlace materials, or combinations thereof, for example. In someinstances, portions of the acquisition materials 38 may extend throughportions of the topsheet 26, portions of the topsheet 26 may extendthrough portions of the acquisition materials 38, and/or the topsheet 26may be nested with the acquisition materials 38. Typically, anacquisition material 38 may have a width and length that are smallerthan the width and length of the topsheet 26. The acquisition materialmay be a secondary topsheet in the feminine pad context. The acquisitionmaterial may have one or more channels as described above with referenceto the absorbent core 30 (including the embossed version). The channelsin the acquisition material may align or not align with channels in theabsorbent core 30. In an example, a first acquisition material maycomprise a nonwoven web and as second acquisition material may comprisea cross-linked cellulosic material.

Landing Zone

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the absorbent article 10 may have a landingzone area 44 that is formed in a portion of the garment-facing surface 2of the outer cover nonwoven material 40. The landing zone area 44 may bein the back waist region 16 if the absorbent article 10 fastens fromfront to back or may be in the front waist region 12 if the absorbentarticle 10 fastens back to front. In some instances, the landing zone 44may be or may comprise one or more discrete nonwoven materials that areattached to a portion of the outer cover nonwoven material 40 in thefront waist region 12 or the back waist region 16 depending upon whetherthe absorbent article fastens in the front or the back. In essence, thelanding zone 44 is configured to receive the fasteners 46 and maycomprise, for example, a plurality of loops configured to be engagedwith, a plurality of hooks on the fasteners 46, or vice versa.

The nonwoven webs with visually discernable patterns may be used aslanding zones positioned over one or more visually vibrant graphics on abacksheet film to achieve the benefits of the present disclosure.

Wetness Indicator/Graphics

Referring to FIG. 1, the absorbent articles 10 of the present disclosuremay comprise graphics 78 and/or wetness indicators 80 that are visiblefrom the garment-facing surface 2. The graphics 78 may be printed on thelanding zone 40, the backsheet 28, and/or at other locations. Thewetness indicators 80 are typically applied to the absorbent core facingside of the backsheet 28, so that they can be contacted by bodilyexudates within the absorbent core 30. In some instances, the wetnessindicators 80 may form portions of the graphics 78. For example, awetness indicator may appear or disappear and create/remove a characterwithin some graphics. In other instances, the wetness indicators 80 maycoordinate (e.g., same design, same pattern, same color) or notcoordinate with the graphics 78.

Front and Back Ears

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, as referenced above, the absorbent article10 may have front and/or back ears 47, 42 in a taped diaper context.Only one set of ears may be required in most taped diapers. The singleset of ears may comprise fasteners 46 configured to engage the landingzone or landing zone area 44. If two sets of ears are provided, in mostinstances, only one set of the ears may have fasteners 46, with theother set being free of fasteners. The ears, or portions thereof, may beelastic or may have elastic panels. In an example, an elastic film orelastic strands may be positioned intermediate a first nonwoven web anda second nonwoven web. The elastic film may or may not be apertured. Theears may be shaped. The ears may be integral (e.g., extension of theouter cover nonwoven material 40, the backsheet 28, and/or the topsheet26) or may be discrete components attached to a chassis 52 of theabsorbent article on a wearer-facing surface 4, on the garment-facingsurface 2, or intermediate the two surfaces 4, 2.

Sensors

Referring again to FIG. 1, the absorbent articles of the presentdisclosure may comprise a sensor system 82 for monitoring changes withinthe absorbent article 10. The sensor system 82 may be discrete from orintegral with the absorbent article 10. The absorbent article 10 maycomprise sensors that can sense various aspects of the absorbent article10 associated with insults of bodily exudates such as urine and/or BM(e.g., the sensor system 82 may sense variations in temperature,humidity, presence of ammonia or urea, various vapor components of theexudates (urine and feces), changes in moisture vapor transmissionthrough the absorbent articles garment-facing layer, changes intranslucence of the garment-facing layer, and/or color changes throughthe garment-facing layer). Additionally, the sensor system 82 may sensecomponents of urine, such as ammonia or urea and/or byproducts resultingfrom reactions of these components with the absorbent article 10. Thesensor system 82 may sense byproducts that are produced when urine mixeswith other components of the absorbent article 10 (e.g., adhesives,agm). The components or byproducts being sensed may be present as vaporsthat may pass through the garment-facing layer. It may also be desirableto place reactants in the absorbent article that change state (e.g.color, temperature) or create a measurable byproduct when mixed withurine or BM. The sensor system 82 may also sense changes in pH,pressure, odor, the presence of gas, blood, a chemical marker or abiological marker or combinations thereof. The sensor system 82 may havea component on or proximate to the absorbent article that transmits asignal to a receiver more distal from the absorbent article, such as aniPhone, for example. The receiver may output a result to communicate tothe caregiver a condition of the absorbent article 10. In otherinstances, a receiver may not be provided, but instead the condition ofthe absorbent article 10 may be visually or audibly apparent from thesensor on the absorbent article.

Packages

The absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be placed intopackages. The packages may comprise nonwoven webs, polymeric films,and/or other materials. Graphics and/or indicia relating to propertiesof the absorbent articles may be formed on, printed on, positioned on,and/or placed on outer portions of the packages. Each package maycomprise a plurality of absorbent articles. The absorbent articles maybe packed under compression so as to reduce the size of the packages,while still providing an adequate number of absorbent articles perpackage. By packaging the absorbent articles under compression,caregivers can easily handle and store the packages, while alsoproviding distribution savings to manufacturers owing to the size of thepackages. The nonwoven webs with visually discernable patterns andimproved texture perception may be used as nonwoven components of thepackages, or portions thereof.

Sanitary Napkin

Referring to FIG. 12, an absorbent article of the present disclosure maybe a sanitary napkin 110. The sanitary napkin 110 may comprise a liquidpermeable topsheet 114, a liquid impermeable, or substantially liquidimpermeable, backsheet 116, and an absorbent core 118. The liquidimpermeable backsheet 116 may or may not be vapor permeable. Theabsorbent core 118 may have any or all of the features described hereinwith respect to the absorbent core 30 and, in some forms, may have asecondary topsheet 119 (STS) instead of the acquisition materialsdisclosed above. The STS 119 may comprise one or more channels, asdescribed above (including the embossed version). In some forms,channels in the STS 119 may be aligned with channels in the absorbentcore 118. The sanitary napkin 110 may also comprise wings 120 extendingoutwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis 180 of the sanitary napkin110. The sanitary napkin 110 may also comprise a lateral axis 190. Thewings 120 may be joined to the topsheet 114, the backsheet 116, and/orthe absorbent core 118. The sanitary napkin 110 may also comprise afront edge 122, a back edge 124 longitudinally opposing the front edge122, a first side edge 126, and a second side edge 128 longitudinallyopposing the first side edge 126. The longitudinal axis 180 may extendfrom a midpoint of the front edge 122 to a midpoint of the back edge124. The lateral axis 190 may extend from a midpoint of the first sideedge 128 to a midpoint of the second side edge 128. The sanitary napkin110 may also be provided with additional features commonly found insanitary napkins as is known in the art.

The nonwoven webs with visually discernable patterns may be used as atopsheet of a sanitary napkin positioned over one or more visuallyvibrant graphics on a backsheet film to achieve the benefits of thepresent disclosure. In an instance, overlap of the visually discernablepattern and the one or more visually vibrant graphics may occur in thewings. Since an absorbent core or secondary topsheet may not be presentin the wings, visually vibrant graphics perception in the wings throughthe topsheet may be improved.

Nonwoven Webs with Visually Discernible Patterns

The nonwoven webs with one or more visually discernable patterns are nowdiscussed. The nonwoven webs disclosed herein are not soluble inliquids, such as water. The visually discernable patterns may be formedby three-dimensional features. Such nonwoven webs may be used as variouscomponents of, or portions of components of, absorbent articles, such astopsheets, topsheet portions of wings of sanitary napkins, outer covernonwoven materials, portions of belts, waistbands, and/or landing zones,for example.

Any of the nonwoven webs of the present disclosure may be through-airbonded such that bonds occur at individual fiber intersections as hotair is passed through the nonwoven webs. Through-air bonding may helpmaintain softness in the nonwoven webs compared to more conventionalcalendar bonding. Other methods of bonding may include calendar pointbonding, ultrasonic bonding, latex bonding, hydroentanglement, resinbonding, and/or combinations thereof.

Any of the nonwoven webs of the present disclosure may comprise portionsof, or all of, components of absorbent articles. An absorbent article,as discussed above, may comprise a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquidimpermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned at leastpartially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbentarticle may comprise an outer cover nonwoven material forming at least aportion of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article. The outercover nonwoven material and/or the topsheet may comprise the nonwovenwebs of the present disclosure. Other components of absorbent articles,or portions thereof, may also comprise the nonwoven webs of the presentdisclosure, such as belts, landing zones, wings of sanitary napkins,and/or waistbands, for example.

A nonwoven web for an absorbent article is provided. The nonwoven webmay form a portion of the laminates of the present disclosure incombination with at least a backsheet film with one or more visuallyvibrant graphics. The nonwoven web may comprise a first surface, asecond surface, and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensionalfeatures on the first surface or the second surface. Thethree-dimensional features may comprise first regions and secondregions. The first regions may be different than the second regions in avalue of an average intensive property, wherein the average intensityproperty is basis weight, volumetric density, and/or caliper. The firstregions may form about 5% to about 40%, about 10% to about 35%, about10% to about 30%, or about 10% to about 25% of the nonwoven webs,relative to a total area of the nonwoven webs, and with the secondregions forming the remainder of the nonwoven webs, specificallyreciting all 1% increments within the specified ranges and all rangesformed therein or thereby.

The nonwoven webs comprising the visually discernable patterns ofthree-dimensional features may have a basis weight in the range of about10 gsm to about 100 gsm, about 10 gsm to about 60 gsm, about 15 gsm toabout 50 gsm, about 15 gsm to about 45 gsm, about 20 gsm to about 40gsm, about 20 gsm to about 35 gsm, about 20 gsm to about 30 gsm,according to the Basis Weight Test herein, and specifically reciting all0.1 gsm increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formedtherein or thereby.

The visually discernable pattern of three-dimensional features may beformed in a nonwoven web by embossing, hydroentangling, or by using astructured forming belt for fiber laydown. Using embossing orhydroentangling, the first regions or the second regions may be embossedor hydroentangled to form the pattern. The structured forming belt isdiscussed herein.

Materials

The nonwoven webs of the present disclosure may be formed by a dry-laidprocess using short staple fibers and mechanical web formation, such asa carding process. The resulting webs may be bonded using irregularpattern thermal embossing or hydroforming/hydroentangling processes. Thenonwoven webs may also comprise cotton or other natural fibers. Thenonwoven webs of the present disclosure may also be coform webs.Coformed webs typically comprise a matrix of meltblown fibers mixed withat least one additional fibrous organic materials, such as fluff pulp,cotton, and/or rayon, for example. The coform webs may be furtherstructured by embossing or laying down the composite on a structuredbelt during a coforming process. In an instance, continuous spunbondfilaments are used in producing the nonwoven webs if the nonwoven websare being made on a structured forming belt (as described below). Thenonwoven webs may comprise continuous mono-component polymeric filamentscomprising a primary, polymeric component. The nonwoven webs maycomprise continuous multicomponent polymeric filaments comprising aprimary polymeric component and a secondary polymeric component. Thefilaments may be continuous bicomponent filaments comprising a primarypolymeric component A and a secondary polymeric component B. Thebicomponent filaments have a cross-section, a length, and a peripheralsurface. The components A and B may be arranged in substantiallydistinct zones across the cross-section of the bicomponent filaments andmay extend continuously along the length of the bicomponent filaments.The secondary component B constitutes at least a portion of theperipheral surface of the bicomponent filaments continuously along thelength of the bicomponent filaments. The polymeric components A and Bmay be melt spun into multicomponent fibers on conventional meltspinning equipment. The equipment may be chosen based on the desiredconfiguration of the multicomponent. Commercially available meltspinning equipment is available from Hills, Inc. located in Melbourne,Fla. The temperature for spinning is in the range of about 180° C. toabout 230° C. The bicomponent spunbond filaments may have an averagediameter from about 6 microns to about 40 microns or from about 12microns is about 40 microns, for example.

The components A and B may be arranged in either a side-by-sidearrangement as shown in FIG. 13A or an eccentric sheath/core arrangementas shown in FIG. 13B to obtain filaments which exhibit a natural helicalcrimp. Alternatively, the components A and B may be arranged in aconcentric sheath/core arrangement as shown in FIG. 13C. Additionally,the component A and B may be arranged in multi-lobal sheath/corearrangement as shown in FIG. 14. Other multicomponent fibers may beproduced by using the compositions and methods of the presentdisclosure. The bicomponent and multicomponent fibers may be segmentedpie, ribbon, islands-in-the-sea configurations, or any combinationthereof. The sheath may be continuous or non-continuous around the core.The fibers of the present disclosure may have different geometries thatcomprise round, elliptical, star shaped, rectangular, and other variousgeometries. Methods for extruding multicomponent, polymeric filamentsinto such arrangements are generally known to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

A wide variety of polymers are suitable to practice the presentdisclosure including polyolefins (such as polyethylene, polypropyleneand polybutylene), polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, elastomericmaterials and the like. Non-limiting examples of polymer materials thatcan be spun into filaments include natural polymers, such as starch,starch derivatives, cellulose and cellulose derivatives, hemicellulose,hemicelluloses derivatives, chitin, chitosan, polyisoprene (cis andtrans), peptides, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and synthetic polymersincluding, but not limited to, thermoplastic polymers, such aspolyesters, nylons, polyolefins such as polypropylene, polyethylene,polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl alcohol derivatives, sodium polyacrylate(absorbent gel material), and copolymers of polyolefins such aspolyethylene-octene or polymers comprising monomeric blends of propyleneand ethylene, and biodegradable or compostable thermoplastic polymerssuch as polylactic acid filaments, polyvinyl alcohol, filaments, andpolycaprolactone filaments. In one example, thermoplastic polymerselected from the group of: polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester,polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyvinyl alcohol,polycaprolactone, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer,styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, polyurethane, and mixturesthereof. In another example, the thermoplastic polymer is selected fromthe group consisting of: polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester,polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyvinyl alcohol,polycaprolactone, and mixtures thereof. Alternatively, the polymer cancomprise one derived from monomers which are bin-based such asbio-polyethylene, bio-polypropylene, bio-PET, or PLA, for example.

Primary component A and secondary component B may be selected so thatthe resulting bicomponent filament provides improved nonwoven bondingand softness. Primary polymer component A may have melting temperaturewhich is lower than the melting temperature of secondary polymercomponent B.

Primary polymer component A may comprise polyethylene, polypropylene orrandom copolymer of propylene and ethylene. Secondary polymer componentB may comprise polypropylene or random copolymer of propylene andethylene. Polyethylenes may comprise linear low density polyethylene andhigh density polyethylene. In addition, secondary polymer component Bmay comprise polymers, additives for enhancing the natural helical crimpof the filaments, lowering the bonding temperature of the filaments, andenhancing the abrasion resistance, strength and softness of theresulting fabric.

Inorganic fillers, such as the oxides of magnesium, aluminum, silicon,and titanium, for example, may be added as inexpensive fillers orprocessing aides, Pigments and/or color melt additives may also beadded.

The fibers of the nonwoven webs disclosed herein may comprise a slipadditive in an amount sufficient to impart the desired haptics to thefiber. As used herein, “slip additive” or “slip agent” means an externallubricant. The slip agent when melt-blended with the resin graduallyexudes or migrates to the surface during cooling or after fabrication,hence forming a uniform, invisibly thin coating, thereby yieldingpermanent lubricating effects. The slip agent may be a fast bloom slipagent.

During the making or in a post-treatment or even in both, the nonwovenwebs of the present disclosure may be treated with surfactants or otheragents to either hydrophilize the web or make it hydrophobic. Forexample, a nonwoven web used as a topsheet may be treated with ahydrophilizing material or surfactant so as to make it permeable to bodyexudates, such as urine and menses. For other absorbent articles, thenonwoven webs may remain in their naturally hydrophobic state or madeeven more hydrophobic through the addition of a hydrophobizing materialor surfactant.

Suitable materials for preparing the multicomponent filaments of thenonwoven webs of the present disclosure may comprise PP3155polypropylene obtained from Exxon Mobil Corporation and PP3854polypropylene obtained from Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Structured Forming Belts and Process for Producing Nonwoven Webs

As mentioned above, the nonwoven webs of the present disclosure may beproduced by embossing, hydroentangling, or by using a structured formingbelt for fiber or filament laydown. The structured forming belt and theprocess of manufacture will now be described in more detail. Thenonwoven webs may be formed directly on the structured forming belt withcontinuous spunbond filaments in a single forming process. The nonwovenwebs may assume a shape and texture which corresponds to the shape andtexture of the structured forming belt.

The present disclosure may utilize the process of melt spinning. Meltspinning may occur from about 150° C. to about 280° or from about 190°to about 230°, for example. Fiber spinning speeds may be greater than100 meters/minute, from about 1,000 to about 10,000 meters/minute, fromabout 2,000 to about 7,000 meters/minute, or from about 2,500 to about5,000 meters/minute, for example. Spinning speeds may affect thebrittleness of the spun fiber, and, in general, the higher the spinningspeed, the less brittle the fiber. Continuous fibers may be producedthrough spunbond methods or meltblowing processes.

Referring to FIG. 15, a representative process line 330 formanufacturing some example nonwoven webs made on a structured formingbelt of the present disclosure is illustrated. The process line 330 isarranged to produce a nonwoven web of bicomponent continuous filaments,but it should be understood that the present disclosure comprehendsnonwoven webs made with monocomponent or multicomponent filaments havingmore than two components. The bicomponent filaments may or may not betrilobal.

The process line 330 may comprise a pair of extruders 332 and 334 drivenby extruder drives 331 and 333, respectively, for separately extrudingthe primary polymer component A and the secondary polymer component B.Polymer component A may be fed into the respective extruder 332 from afirst hopper 336 and polymer component B may be fed into the respectiveextruder 334 from a second hopper 338. Polymer components A and B may befed from the extruders 332 and 334 through respective polymer conduits340 and 342 to filters 344 and 345 and melt pumps 346 and 347, whichpump the polymer into a spin pack 348. Spinnerets for extrudingbicomponent filaments are generally known to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

Generally described, the spin pack. 348 comprises a housing whichcomprises a plurality of plates stacked one on top of the other with apattern of openings arranged to create flow paths for directing polymercomponents A and B separately through the spinneret. The spin pack 348has openings arranged in one or more rows. The spinneret openings form adownwardly extending curtain of filaments when the polymers are extrudedthrough the spinneret. For the purposes of the present disclosure,spinnerets may be arranged to form side-by-side, eccentric sheath/core,or sheath/core bicomponent filaments as illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13C, aswell as non-round fibers, such as tri-loyal fibers as shown in FIG. 14.Moreover, the fibers may be monocomponent having one polymericcomponent, such as polypropylene, for example.

The process line 330 may comprises a quench blower 350 positionedadjacent to the curtain of filaments extending from the spinneret. Airfrom the quench air blower 350 may quench the filaments extending fromthe spinneret. The quench air may be directed from one side of thefilament curtain or both sides of the filament curtain.

An attenuator 352 may be positioned below the spinneret and receives thequenched filaments. Fiber draw units or aspirators for use asattenuators in melt spinning polymers are generally known to those ofskill in the art. Suitable fiber draw units for use in the process offorming the nonwoven webs of the present disclosure may comprise alinear fiber attenuator of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,817 andeductive guns of the type shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,692,618 and3,423,266.

Generally described, the attenuator 352 may comprise an elongatevertical passage through which the filaments are drawn by aspirating airentering from the sides of the passage and flowing downwardly throughthe passage. A structured, endless, at least partially foraminous,forming belt 360 may be positioned below the attenuator 352 and mayreceive the continuous filaments from the outlet opening of theattenuator 352. The forming belt 360 may travel around guide rollers362. A vacuum 364 positioned below the structured forming belt 360 wherethe filaments are deposited draws the filaments against the formingsurface. Although the forming belt 360 is shown as a belt in FIG. 15, itshould be understood that the forming belt may also be in other formssuch as a drum. Details of particular shaped forming belts are explainedbelow.

In operation of the process line 330, the hoppers 336 and 338 are filledwith the respective polymer components A and B. Polymer components A andB are melted and extruded by the respective extruders 332 and 334through polymer conduits 340 and 342 and the spin pack 348. Although thetemperatures of the molten polymers vary depending on the polymers used,when polyethylenes are used as primary component A and secondarycomponent B respectively, the temperatures of the polymers may rangefrom about 190° C. to about 240° C., for example.

As the extruded filaments extend below the spinneret, a stream of airfrom the quench blower 350 at least partially quench the filaments, and,for certain filaments, to induce crystallization of molten filaments.The quench air may flow in a direction substantially perpendicular tothe length of the filaments at a temperature of about 0° C. to about 35″C and a velocity from about 100 to about 400 feet per minute. Thefilaments may be quenched sufficiently before being collected on theforming bell 360 so that the filaments may be arranged by the forced airpassing through the filaments and the forming belt 360. Quenching thefilaments reduces the tackiness of the filaments so that the filamentsdo not adhere to one another too tightly before being bonded and may bemoved or arranged on the forming belt 360 during collection of thefilaments on the forming belt 360 and formation of the nonwoven web.

After quenching, the filaments are drawn into the vertical passage ofthe attenuator 352 by a flow of the fiber draw unit. The attenuator maybe positioned 30 to 60 inches below the bottom of the spinneret.

The filaments may be deposited through the outlet opening of theattenuator 352 onto the shaped, traveling forming belt 360. As thefilaments are contacting the forming surface of the forming belt 360,the vacuum 364 draws the air and filaments against the forming belt 360to form a nonwoven web of continuous filaments which assumes a shapecorresponding to the shape of the structured forming surface of thestructured forming belt 360. As discussed above, because the filamentsare quenched, the filaments are not too tacky and the vacuum may move orarrange the filaments on the forming belt 360 as the filaments are beingcollected on the forming belt 330 and formed into nonwoven webs.

The process line 330 may comprise one or more bonding devices such asthe cylinder-shaped compaction rolls 370 and 372, which form a nipthrough which the nonwoven web may be compacted (e.g., calendared) andwhich may be heated to bond fibers as well. One or both of compactionrolls 370, 372 may be heated to provide enhanced properties and benefitsto the nonwoven webs by bonding portions of the nonwoven webs. Forexample, it is believed that heating sufficient to provide thermalbonding improves the nonwoven web's tensile properties. The compactionrolls may be pair of smooth surface stainless steel rolls withindependent heating controllers. The compaction rolls may be heated byelectric elements or hot oil circulation. The gap between the compactionrolls may be hydraulically controlled to impose desired pressure on thenonwoven web as it passes through the compaction rolls on the formingbelt. As an example, with a forming belt caliper of 1.4 mm, and aspunbond nonwoven web having a basis weight of 25 gsm, the nip gapbetween the compaction rolls 370 and 372 may be about 1.4 mm.

An upper compaction roll 370 may be heated sufficiently to consolidateor melt fibers on a first surface of a nonwoven web 310, to impartstrength to the nonwoven web so that it may be removed from forming belt360 without losing integrity. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, for example,as rolls 370 and 372 rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows,the forming belt 360 with the spunbond web laid down on it enter the nipformed by rolls 370 and 372. Heated roll 370 may heat the portions ofthe nonwoven web 310 that are pressed against it by the raised resinelements of belt 360, i.e., in regions 321, to create bonded fibers 380on at least the first surface of the nonwoven web 310. As can beunderstood by the description herein, the bonded regions so formed maytake the pattern of the raised elements of forming belt 360. Byadjusting temperature and dwell time, the bonding may be limitedprimarily to fibers closest to the first surface of the nonwoven web310, or thermal bonding may be achieved to a second surface. Bonding mayalso be a discontinuous network, for example, as point bonds 390,discussed below.

The raised elements of the forming belt 360 may be selected to establishvarious network characteristics of the forming belt and the bondedregions of the nonwoven web 310. The network corresponds to resin makingup the raised elements of the forming belt 360 and may comprisesubstantially continuous, substantially semi-continuous, discontinuous,or combinations thereof options. These networks may be descriptive ofthe raised elements of the forming belt 360 as it pertains to theirappearance or make-up in the X-Y planes of the forming belt 360 or thethree-dimensional features of the nonwoven webs 310.

After compaction, the nonwoven web 310 may leave the forming belt 360and be calendared through a nip formed by calendar rolls 371, 373, afterwhich the nonwoven web 310 may be wound onto a reel 375 or conveyeddirectly into a manufacturing operation for products, such as absorbentarticles. As shown in the schematic cross-section of FIG. 18, thecalendar rolls 371, 373 may be stainless steel rolls having an engravedpattern roll 384 and a smooth roll 386. The engraved roll may haveraised portions 388 that may provide for additional compaction andbonding to the nonwoven web 310. Raised portions 388 may be a regularpattern of relatively small spaced apart “pins” that form a pattern ofrelatively small point bonds 390 in the nip of calendar rolls 371 and373. The percent of point bonds in the nonwoven web 10 may be from about3% to about 30% or from about 7% to about 20%, for example. The engravedpattern may be a plurality of closely spaced, regular, generallycylindrically-shaped, generally flat-topped pin shapes, with pin heightsbeing in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm or from about 1 mm toabout 3 mm, for example. Pin bonding calendar rolls may form closelyspaced, regular point bonds 390 in the nonwoven web 10, as shown in anexample in FIG. 19. Further bonding may be by hot-air-through bonding,for example. FIG. 19 shows a hearts pattern made by the same structuredforming belt technology that may be used to make the nonwoven webs ofthe present disclosure.

“Point bonding”, as used herein, is a method of thermally bonding anonwoven web. This method comprises passing a web through a nip betweentwo rolls comprising a heated male patterned or engraved metal roll anda smooth or patterned metal roll. The male patterned roll may have aplurality of raised, generally cylindrical-shaped pins that producecircular point bonds. The smooth roll may or may not be heated,depending on the application. In a nonwoven manufacturing line, thenonwoven web, which could be a non-bonded nonwoven web, is fed into thecalendar nip and the fiber temperature is raised to the point for fibersto thermally fuse with each other at the tips of engraved points andagainst the smooth roll. The heating time is typically in the order ofmilliseconds. The nonwoven web properties are dependent on processsettings such as roll temperatures, web line speeds, and nip pressures,all of which may be determined by the skilled person for the desiredlevel of point bonding. Other types of point bonding known generally ashot calendar bonding may use different geometries for the bonds (otherthan circular shaped), such as oval, lines, circles, for example. In anexample, the point bonding produces a pattern of point bonds being 0.5mm diameter circles with 10% overall bonding area. Other bonding shapesmay have raised pins having a longest dimension across the bondingsurface of a pin of from about 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm and the overall bondingarea ranges from about 5% to about 30%, for example.

As shown in FIG. 19, a heated compaction roll 370 may form a bondpattern, which may be a substantially continuous network bond pattern380 (e.g., interconnected heart shaped bonds) on a first surface of thenonwoven web 310 (not shown in FIG. 19, as it faces away from theviewer), and the engraved calendar roll 373 may form relatively smallpoint bonds 390 on a second surface 314 of the nonwoven web. The pointbonds 390 may secure loose fibers that would otherwise be prone tofuzzing or pilling during use of the nonwoven web 310. The advantage ofthe resulting structure of the nonwoven web 310 is most evident whenused as a topsheet or outer cover nonwoven material in an absorbentarticle, such as a diaper, for example. In use, in an absorbent article,a first surface of the nonwoven web 310 may be relatively flat (relativeto second surface 14) and have a relatively large amount of bonding dueto the heated compaction roll forming bonds 380 at the areas of thenonwoven web pressed by the raised elements of the forming belt 360.This bonding gives the nonwoven web 310 structural integrity, but stillmay be relatively stiff or rough to the skin of a user. Therefore, afirst surface of the nonwoven web 310 may be oriented in a diaper orsanitary napkin to face the interior of the article, i.e., away from thebody of the wearer or garment-facing. Likewise, the second surface 314may be wearer-facing in use, and in contact with the body. Therelatively small point bonds 390 may be less likely to be perceivedvisually or tacitly by the user, and the relatively softthree-dimensional features may remain visually free of fuzzing andpilling while feeling soft to the body in use. Further bonding may beused instead of, or in addition to, the above-mentioned bonding.Through-air bonding may also be used.

The forming belt 360 may be made according to the methods and processesdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,173, issued to Lindsay et al., on Aug.26, 2003, or U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,523, issued to Trokhan et al., on May7, 1996, or U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,910, issued to Burazin et al., on Jun.4, 2002, or U.S. Pat. No. 8,940,376, issued to Stage et al on Jan. 27,2015, each with the improved features and patterns disclosed herein formaking spunbond nonwoven webs. The Lindsay, Trokhan, Burazin, and Stagedisclosures describe structured forming belts that are representative ofpapermaking belts made with cured resin on a woven reinforcing member,which belts, with improvements, may be utilized to form the nonwovenwebs of the present disclosure as described herein.

An example of a structured forming belt 360, and which may be madeaccording to the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,523, is shown in FIG.20. As taught therein, a reinforcing member 394 (such as a woven belt offilaments 396) is thoroughly coated with a liquid photosensitivepolymeric resin to a preselected thickness. A film or negative maskincorporating the desired raised element pattern repeating elements(e.g., FIG. 22) is juxtaposed on the liquid photosensitive resin. Theresin is then exposed to light of an appropriate wave length through thefilm, such as UV light for a UV-curable resin. This exposure to lightcauses curing of the resin in the exposed areas white portions ornon-printed portions in the mask). Uncured resin (resin under the opaqueportions in the mask) is removed from the system leaving behind thecured resin forming the pattern illustrated, for example, the curedresin elements 392 shown in FIG. 20.

The forming belt 360 may comprise cured resin elements 392 on a wovenreinforcing member 394. The reinforcing member 394 may be made of wovenfilaments 396 as is generally known in the art of papermaking belts,including resin coated papermaking belts. The cured resin elements mayhave the general structure depicted in FIG. 20, and are made by the useof a mask 397 having the dimensions indicated in FIG. 22 As shown inschematic cross-section in FIG. 21, cured resin elements 392 flow aroundand are cured to “lock on” to the reinforcing member 394 and may have awidth at a distal end DW of about 0.020 inches to about 0.060 inches, orfrom about 0.025 inches to about 0.030 inches, and a total height abovethe reinforcing member 394, referred to as over burden, OB, of about0.030 inches to about 0.120 inches or about 0.50 inches to about 0.80inches, or about 0.040 inches. FIG. 22 represents a portion of a mask397 showing the design and representative dimensions for one repeat unitof the repeating hearts design, shown herein merely as an example. Thewhite portion 398 is transparent to UV light, and in the process ofmaking the belt, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,523, permits UVlight to cure an underlying layer of resin which is cured to form theraised elements 392 on the reinforcing member 394. After the uncuredresin is washed away, the forming belt 360 having a cured resin designas shown in FIG. 20 is produced by seaming the ends of a length of theforming belt, the length of which may be determined by the design of theapparatus, as depicted in FIG. 15.

The nonwoven webs disclosed herein may be fluid permeable. The entirenonwoven web may be considered fluid permeable or some regions may befluid permeable. By fluid permeable, as used herein, with respect to thenonwoven web is meant that the nonwoven web has at least one regionwhich permits liquid to pass through under in-use conditions of aconsumer product or absorbent article. For example, if used as atopsheet on a disposable absorbent article, the nonwoven web may have atleast one zone having a level of fluid permeability permitting urine topass through to an underlying absorbent core. By fluid permeable, asused herein with respect to a region, it is meant that the regionexhibits a porous structure that permits liquid to pass through.

Because of the nature of the structured forming belts and otherapparatus elements, as described herein, the three-dimensional featuresof the nonwoven web have average intensive properties that may differbetween first and second regions, or from feature to feature in waysthat provide for beneficial properties of the nonwoven web when used inpersonal care articles, garments, medical products, and cleaningproducts. For example, a first region may have a basis weight or densitythat is different from the basis weight or density of a second region,and both may have a basis weight or density that is different from thatof a third region, providing for beneficial aesthetic and functionalproperties related to fluid acquisition, distribution and/or absorptionin diapers or sanitary napkins.

The average intensive property differential between the various regionsof the nonwoven webs is believed to be due to the fiber distribution andcompaction resulting from the apparatus and method described herein. Thefiber distribution occurs during the fiber laydown process, as opposedto, for example, a post making process such as embossing processes.Because the fibers are free to move during a process such as a melt,spinning process, with the movement determined by the nature of thefeatures and air permeability of the forming belt and other processingparameters, the fibers are believed to be more stable and permanentlyformed in nonwoven web.

In structured forming belts having multiple zones, the air permeabilityin each zone may be variable such that the intensive properties ofaverage basis weight and average volumetric density in the zones may bevaried. Variable air permeabilities in the various zones causes fibermovement during laydown. The air permeability may be between about 400to about 1000 cfm, or between about 400 to about 800 cfm, or betweenabout 500 cfm and about 750 cfm, or between about 650 to about 700 cfm,specifically reciting all 1 cfm increments within the specified rangesand all ranges formed therein or thereby.

A structured forming belt may comprise an endless foraminous membercomprising a first surface and a second surface, a curable resinextending from the first surface of the foraminous member, and avisually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on theendless foraminous member. The three-dimensional features may compriseone or more first regions and a plurality of second regions. The one ormore first regions may comprise the resin and the plurality of secondregions may be free of the resin.

Bio-Based Content for Absorbent Article Components

Components of the disposable absorbent article (i.e., diaper, disposablepant, adult incontinence article, sanitary napkin, pantiliner, etc.)described in this specification may at least partially be comprised ofbio-sourced content as described in U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No.2007/0219521A1 Hird et al., published on Sep. 20, 2007, U.S. Pat. Appl.Publ. No. 2011/0139658A1 Hird et al., published on Jun. 16, 2011, U.S.Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2011/0139657A1 Hird et al., published on Jun. 16,2011, U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No 2011/0152812A1 Hird et al., published onJun. 23, 2011, U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2011/0139662A1 Hird et al.,published on Jun. 16, 2011, and U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2011/0139659A1Hird et al., published on Jun. 16, 2011. These components include, butare not limited to, topsheet nonwovens, backsheet films, backsheetnonwovens, side panel nonwovens, barrier leg cuff nonwovens, superabsorbents, nonwoven acquisition layers, core wrap nonwovens, adhesives,fastener hooks, and fastener landing zone nonwovens and film bases.

In some forms, a disposable absorbent article component comprises abio-based content value from about 10% to about 100% using ASTMD6866-10, method B, in another embodiment, from about 25% to about 75%,and in yet another embodiment, from about 50% to about 60% using ASTMD6866-10, method B.

In order to apply the methodology of ASTM D6866-10 to determine thebio-based content of any disposable absorbent article component, arepresentative sample of the disposable absorbent article component mustbe obtained for testing. In a form, the disposable absorbent articlecomponent may be ground into particulates less than about 20 mesh usingknown grinding methods (e.g., Wiley® mill), and a representative sampleof suitable mass taken from the randomly mixed particles.

Nonwoven webs may comprise multicomponent fibers or bicomponent fibers,where at least one or more of the components are bio-based. Examplesinclude side-by-side, sheath/core, or islands in the sea configurations,where one or more or all of the components are bio-based.

The nonwoven webs may comprise bonds at fiber intersections formed bypassing hot air through the nonwoven webs and using a process referredto as through-air bonding. In other instances, the nonwoven webs maycomprise calendar bonds configured to join the fibers together.

The nonwoven web of the present disclosure may comprise a second,visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on the firstsurface or the second surface. The second, visually discernible patternof three-dimensional features may be different than the visuallydiscernible pattern. The three-dimensional features may comprise one ormore, or a plurality of, third regions and a plurality of fourthregions. The one or more third regions may be different than theplurality of fourth regions in a value of an average intensive property,such as basis weight, caliper, and/or volumetric density.

The nonwoven webs of the present disclosure may comprise multicomponentfibers, such as bicomponent fibers (see e.g., FIGS. 13A-13C). At leastone component of the multicomponent fibers may be bio-based, such asPLA, bio-PE, or bio-PP, for example.

The nonwoven webs may be spunbond nonwoven webs or carded nonwoven webs.

The nonwoven webs of the present disclosure may comprise a low level ofcolorant, additive, and/or dye to help with texture perception,absorbency perception, and softness perception. The low level of thecolorant, additive, and/or dye may be low enough so that the nonwovenwebs appear to still be “white” to the human eye. For example, if a tealcolorant, additive, and/or dye is used, the resulting nonwoven materialwill still appear to be white to the human eye, but texture in thenonwoven web will be more enhanced when viewed. This leads to improvedperceptions of absorbency and softness.

As an example, a colorant masterbatch may be used that is a solidadditive that comprises pigments typically in the range of about 15% toabout 65% actives with a carrier resin, such as polypropylene,polyethylene, and/or polyester. The colorant masterbatch is designed todeliver certain target color which is described as a “let-down ratio”.For example, in nonwoven webs, a masterbatch at 2% let-down ratio willresult in a target color when 2% of the masterbatch is blended with 98%of the corresponding nonwoven resin, such as polypropylene,polyethylene, and/or polyester, for example. A conventional let-downratio may be in the range of about 1.5% to about 5%. This level oflet-down ratio, however, causes the nonwoven webs to appear as coloredto the human eye, such as teal, for example. In the present disclosure,the add-on levels of the masterbatch are significantly lower forenhancing the texture perception, absorbency perception, and softnessperception, without the color being visible to the human eye (i.e., thenonwoven web still appears to be white).

An example colorant may be purchased from Ampacet Corporation located at660 White Plans Rd. Tarrytown, N.Y. 10591. One example colorant is bluecolorant from Ampacet Corporation under the product name Ampacet4600664-N.

Emtec

In addition to providing improved texture perception, the nonwoven websof the present disclosure provide improved softness and texture. Thepresent disclosure further solves the contradiction between highsoftness and high visible texture. Softness, texture (i.e., smoothness),and/or stiffness may be measured by an Emtec Tissue Softness Analyzer,according to the Emtec Test herein. Tactile softness is measured as TS7.Texture/Smoothness is measured as TS750. Stiffness is measured as D.

A portion of, or all of, the nonwoven webs of the present disclosure mayhave a TS7 value less than 15 dB V² or in the range of about 1 dB V² rmsto about 4.5 dB V² rms, about 2 dB V² rms to about 4.5 dB V² rms, orabout 2 dB V² rms to about 4.0 dB V² rms. The portion of, or all of, thenonwoven webs of the present disclosure may also have a TS750 value inthe range of about 4 dB V² rms to about 30 dB V² rms, about 6 dB V² rmsto about 30 dB V² rms, about 6 dB V² rms to about 20 dB V² rms, about 6dB V² rms to about 15 dB V² rms, about 6 dB V² rms to about 12 dB V²rms, or about 6.5 dB V² rms to about 10 dB V² rms. The portion of, orall of, the wearer-facing surfaces of the topsheets of the presentdisclosure may also have a D value in the range of about 1 mm/N to about10 mm/N, about 3 mm/N to about 8 mm/N, about 2 mm/N to about 6 mm/N,about 2 mm/N to about 4 mm/N, or about 3 mm/N to about 4 mm/N. Allvalues are measured according to the Emtec Test herein. The TS7 value istactile softness, so low numbers are desired (the lower the number, themore soft the material is). The TS750 value is texture so a high numberis desired (the higher the number, the more texture the material has).Having a low TS7 value and a high texture value is contradictory in thattypically the more texture a nonwoven fabric has, the less soft it is.The Applicants, without wishing to be bound by theory, have discoveredthe unexpected results of highly textured nonwoven fabrics that stillare very soft.

Laminates

The laminates of the present disclosure may comprise one or more of thenonwoven webs discussed herein having the one or more visuallydiscernible patterns of three dimensional features and a backsheet filmcomprising one or more visually vibrant graphics on the garment-facingside or the wearer-facing side thereof. The one or more visually vibrantgraphics on the backsheet film greatly increases the perception of theone or more visually discernible patterns of the nonwoven web, when thenonwoven web is overlapped with the one or more graphics. The laminatesmay also comprise other materials. A portion of, or all of, the visuallydiscernible pattern of three-dimensional features may overlap a portionof, or all of, the one or more graphics. One example laminate is anouter cover nonwoven material positioned over a backsheet film havingone or more graphics printed on a garment-facing side of the backsheet.Another example is a topsheet positioned over a backsheet film havingone or more graphics printed on a wearer-facing side of the backsheet.In some instances, the topsheet may overlap the one or more graphics ofthe backsheet film at least in wings of a sanitary napkin to form thelaminate.

Backsheet Graphics

The garment-facing or wearer-facing side of the backsheet may compriseone or more graphics. The one or more graphics may comprise visuallyvibrant graphics. The visually vibrant graphics may be characterized bychroma, L*, a*, b* color values, L* values, a* values, or b* values, aswill be discussed further herein. The one or more graphics may be aflood of the same or different colors. The flood may cover all of onesurface of the backsheet or portions thereof. In other instances, manydifferent graphics may be provided, although some may repeat. The one ormore graphics may comprise a color, a word, a slogan, a brand name, awetness indicator (or portion thereof), a design, an icon, a logo, aletter, a heart, a number, a size indicator, a front/back indicator, acharacter, an animal, a face, a symbol, or the like. Graphics may alsocomprise a visible placement indicia to indicate where a sensor shouldbe attached to the diaper, such as a dashed outline that matches theshape of a sensor, for example. Graphics may be anything that is printedon the backsheet. Graphics may also be tinted areas of the backsheet.The wearer-facing surface or the garment-facing surface of the backsheetmay have a non-printed area, a non-tinted area, or an area not coveredby the one or more graphics in the range of about 5% to about 90%, about5% to about 80%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 70%, about20% to about 70%, for example, specifically including all 1% incrementswithin the recited ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

Chroma

Chroma values are a measure of the vividness or vibrancy of color in abacksheet graphic. The one or more visually vibrant graphics may have achroma value greater than 8 and less than 100, or greater than 8 andless than 90, according to the Backsheet Graphic Color Test herein. Thechroma value for the one or more graphics may also be in the range ofabout 10 to about 95, about 10 to about 90, about 15 to about 80, about20 to about 75, about 10 to about 60, or about 10 to about 50, accordingto the Backsheet Graphic Color Test herein. The chroma value for the oneor more graphics may also be in the range of about 10 to about 45, about19 to about 45, about 13 to about 45, about 13, about 14, about 27,about 28, about 35, about 36, about 37, about 40, or about 41, accordingto the Backsheet Graphic Color Test herein. All 0.5 increments withinthe recited ranges in this paragraph and all ranges formed therein orthereby are specifically included.

The PANTONE color system uses a color numbering system to identify andmatch colors.

Chroma Values PANTONE Color 109

One or more graphics on the backsheet that are a PANTONE color of 109may have a chroma value in the range of about 5 to about 90, about 8 toabout 90, about 18 to about 90, about 18 to about 84, about 27 to about77, about 37 to about 66, or about 47 to about 56, according theBacksheet Graphic Color Test herein, and specifically reciting all 0.5increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein orthereby.

Chroma Values PANTONE Color 171

One or more graphics on the backsheet that are a PANTONE color of 171may have a chroma value in the range of about 15 to about 80, about 19to about 75, about 26 to about 65, about 34 to about 57, or about 42 toabout 49, according the Backsheet Graphic Color Test herein, andspecifically reciting all 0.5 increments within the specified ranges andall ranges formed therein or thereby.

Chroma Values PANTONE Color 2965

One or more graphics on the backsheet that are a PANTONE color of 2965may have a chroma value in the range of about 5 to about 30, about 7 toabout 25, about 7 to about 21, about 8 to about 20, about 11 to about18, about 13 to about 17, or about 13 to about 15, according theBacksheet Graphic Color Test herein, and specifically reciting all 0.5increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein orthereby.

Chroma Values PANTONE Color 3272

One or more graphics on the backsheet that are a PANTONE color of 3272may have a chroma value in the range of about 10 to about 70, about 11to about 65, about 18 to about 65, about 25 to about 55, about 30 toabout 50, about 31 to about 46, or about 31 to about 40, according theBacksheet Graphic Color Test herein, and specifically reciting all 0.5increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein orthereby.

Chroma Values PANTONE Color 423

One or more graphics on the backsheet that are a PANTONE color of 423may have a chroma value in the range of about 1 to about 5, about 1 toabout 3, about 1 to about 2.5, about 1 to about 2.2, about 1 to about 2,about 1 to about 1.5, about 1 to about 1.4, or about 1.4, according theBacksheet Graphic Color Test herein, and specifically reciting all 0.5increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein orthereby.

L*, a*, b* Values

For all PANTONE colors, including those not listed above, of the one ormore graphics on the backsheet, an L* value may be in the range of about5 to about 95, about 40 to about 95, about 50 to about 95, about 60 toabout 95, about 65 to about 95, or the L* value maybe less than 95 orless than 90. An a* value may be in the range of about −90 to about 90,about −50 to about 50, or about −30 to about 40, and a b* value may bein the range of about −90 to about 90, about −50 to about 50, or about−25 to about 40. All L*, a*, b* values are measured according to theNonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test herein, and specifically recitingall 0.5 increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formedtherein or thereby. The color and/or colors may be characterized by CIE1976 L*, a*, b*, values, according to the Nonwoven-Backsheet LaminateColor Test herein. CIE L*, a*, b* utilizes measures of lightness (L),redness-greenness (a), and yellowness-blueness (b) to characterizecolors. The color and/or colors may also be characterized by the PANTONEcolor system.

L*, a*, b* Values PANTONE Color 109

One or more graphics on the backsheet that are a PANTONE color of 109may have an L* value in the range of about 86 to about 96, an a* valuein the range of about 0 to about 5, and a b* value in the range of about18 to about 84, according the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Testherein, and specifically reciting all 0.5 increments within thespecified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

L*, a*, b* Values PANTONE Color 171

One or more graphics on the backsheet that are a PANTONE color of 171may have an L* value in the range of about 60 to about 86, an a* valuein the range of about 15 to about 56, and a b* value in the range ofabout 13 to about 48, according the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate ColorTest herein, and specifically reciting all 0.5 increments within thespecified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

L*, a*, b* Values PANTONE Color 2965

One or more graphics on the backsheet that are a PANTONE color of 2965may have an L* value in the range of about 14 to about 82, an a* valueint the range of about −7 to about −2, and a b* value in the range ofabout −19 to about −5, according the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate ColorTest herein, and specifically reciting all 0.5 increments within thespecified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

L*, a*, b* Values PANTONE Color 3272

One or more graphics on the backsheet that are a PANTONE color of 3272may have an L* value in the range of about 58 to about 89, an a* valuein the range of about −60 to about −12, and a b* value in the range ofabout −11 to about −3, according the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate ColorTest herein, and specifically reciting all 0.5 increments within thespecified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

L*, a*, b* Values PANTONE Color 423

One or more graphics on the backsheet that are a PANTONE color of 423may have an L* value in the range of about 58 to about 91, an a* valuein the range of about −2 to about −1, and a b* value in the range ofabout −1 to about 0, according the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate ColorTest herein, and specifically reciting all 0.5 increments within thespecified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

Sanitary Napkin Laminate

Referring again to FIG. 12, the sanitary napkin 110 comprises wings 120and a liquid impermeable backsheet 116. A wearer-facing side 115 or agarment-facing side of the backsheet 116 may comprise one or morevisually vibrant graphics 400. The one or more graphics 400 may bepositioned on the backsheet 116 at any location, such as in the wings120, for example. The one or more graphics 400 may also be positioned inother locations on the backsheet 116. The liquid permeable topsheet 114,or a portions thereof, may comprise one or more visually discerniblepatterns of three-dimensional features 402 on a first surface or asecond surface thereof. At least some of the three dimensional features402 may each comprise a first region 404 and a second region 406. Thefirst regions 404 may have a first value of an average intensiveproperty and the second regions 406 may have a second value of anaverage intensive property. The first and second values may bedifferent. The average intensive properties may be the same as thosediscussed herein. A portion of, or all of, the visually discerniblepattern of three-dimensional features 402 may overlap with a portion of,or all of the one or more graphics 400. The overlap may occur in thewings 120, for example, as the absorbent core 118 and secondary topsheet119 may not be present so that the one or more graphics 400 may be morevisible through the topsheet 114. The one or more visually discerniblepatterns of three-dimensional features may be more visible whenoverlapped with the one or more visually vibrant graphics. Thegarment-facing surface or wearer-facing side of the liquid permeabletopsheet 114 may have a TS7 value of less than about 15 dB V² rms,according to the Emtec Test (or other TS7, TS750, and D values specifiedherein.) The one or more graphics 400 may exhibit a chroma value ofgreater than 8 and less than 130, greater than 8 and less than 100, orother chroma values specified herein, according to the Backsheet.Graphic Color Test. A portion of, or all of, the one or more graphics400 may exhibit a first L*, a*, b*, color value when measured throughthe first regions 404 of the visually discernible pattern ofthree-dimensional features 402, according to the Nonwoven-BacksheetLaminate Color Test. The portion of, or all of, the one or more graphics400 may exhibit a second, different L*, a*, b*, color value, whenmeasured through the second regions 406 of the visually discerniblepattern of three-dimensional features 402, according to theNonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test. The portion of, or all of, theone or more graphics 400 may exhibit an L value less than 95 or lessthan 90, but greater than 5, according to the Nonwoven-BacksheetLaminate Color Test. The one or more graphics 400 may also be printed onthe secondary topsheet 119 to enable viewing through the topsheet 114.The one or more graphics 400 may also exhibit any of the other chromavalues; L*, a*, b* color values; or individual L*, a*, or b* values;delta E values, or other values, such as non-printed or non-tinted area,for example, disclosed herein. The same will not be repeated again herefor brevity.

Backsheet/Nonwoven Laminate

As mentioned above, the laminates of the present disclosure may beformed by a backsheet and one or more nonwoven webs. Additional laminateexamples are now discussed.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a liquid impermeable backsheet 28. Thebacksheet 28 may comprises one or more visually vibrant graphics 400 anda wetness indicator 80. In some instances, the one or more visuallyvibrant graphics 400 may comprise at least portions of, or all of, thewetness indicator 80. The backsheet 28 comprises a wearer-facing surfaceand a garment-facing surface 408 (i.e., facing the outer cover nonwovenmaterial 40). The wearer-facing side or the garment-facing side 408 maycomprise the one or more graphics 400. The wetness indicator 80 ispositioned on the wearer-facing side 408 so that it is in contact withbodily exudates within the absorbent core during wearing of theabsorbent article 10 and is configured to indicate wetness or loading ofthe absorbent article 10. The one or more graphics 400 may from animals,such as a bunnies or clouds, for example. The one or more graphics 400may also be numbers, words etc. as described herein. The images of thebunnies or clouds may repeat or may all be different in size, shape,color, and/or orientation. The one or more graphics 400 may exhibit achroma value of greater than 8 and less than 130, greater than 8 andless than 100, or other chroma values specified herein, according to theBacksheet Graphic Color Test. The garment-facing side 408 of thebacksheet 28 may have about 5% to about 80% (or other ranges specifiedherein) of non-printed or non-tinted area, relative to an entire area ofthe garment-facing side 408 of the backsheet 28. In some instances, thegraphics 400 may be formed of a plurality of first repeat units.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of an outer cover nonwoven material or nonwoventopsheet 410 (410 referred to as “outer cover nonwoven material 410” butmay also be a nonwoven topsheet). The outer cover nonwoven material 410comprises a first garment-facing surface and a second wearer-facingsurface. In FIG. 24, the garment-facing surface 412 is facing theviewer. The outer cover nonwoven material 410 comprises one or morevisually discernible patterns of three dimensional features 402. It willbe understood that the visually discernible pattern of three-dimensionalfeatures 402 may be present on the garment-facing surface or thewearer-facing surface. At least some of the three-dimensional featuresmay comprise a first region 404 and a second region 406. The firstregions 404 may have a first value of an average intensive property. Thesecond regions 406 may have a second value of an average intensiveproperty. The first and second values of the average intensityproperties may be different. The average intensive property may be basisweight and the basis weight of the first and second regions 404, 406 mayboth be greater than zero. The average intensive property may bevolumetric density and the volumetric density of the first and secondregions 404, 406 may both be greater than zero. The average intensiveproperties may be thickness and the thickness of the first and secondregions 404, 406 may both be greater than zero. The visually discerniblepattern of three-dimensional features 402 may be formed of a pluralityof second repeat units that may be larger or smaller than the pluralityof first repeat units of the one or more graphics 400. Thegarment-facing surface 412 may have a TS7 value of less than about 15 dBV² rms, according to the Emtec Test (or other TS7, TS750, and D valuesspecified herein.)

FIG. 25 is a plan view a laminate 414 of the outer cover nonwovenmaterial 410 of FIG. 24 overlapped with the backsheet 28 of FIG. 23,with the garment-facing surface 412 of the outer cover nonwoven material410 facing the viewer. A landing zone area 413 may be present where adiscrete landing zone may be attached to the outer cover nonwovenmaterial 410. The garment-facing surface 408 of the backsheet 28 is in afacing relationship with the wearer-facing surface of the outer covernonwoven material 410. As can be seen in FIG. 25, portions of the one ormore graphics 400 are overlapped by portions of the visually discerniblepattern of three-dimensional features 402. A portion of, or all of, theone or more graphics 400 may exhibit a first L*, a*, b* color value whenmeasured through the first regions 404 of the three-dimensional features402, according to the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test. Theportion of, or all of, the one or more graphics 400 may exhibit asecond, different L*, a*, b*, color value, when measured through thesecond regions 406 of the three-dimensional features 402, according tothe Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test. The portion of, or all of,the one or more graphics 400 may exhibit an L* value less than 95 orless than 90, but greater than 5, according to the Nonwoven-BacksheetLaminate Color Test. The first L*, a*, b* color value may have an L*value in the range of about 5 to about 95, an a* value in the range ofabout −90 to about 90, and a b* value in the range of about −90 to about90, all measured according to the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate ColorTest. The second L*, a*, b* color value may have an L* value in therange of about 5 to about 95, an a* value in the range of about −90 toabout 90, and a b* value in the range of about −90 to about 90, allmeasured according to the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test. Asmentioned above, a portion of the one or more graphics 400 may exhibit achroma value greater than 8, according to the Backsheet Graphic ColorTest. A delta E between the first L*, a*, b* color value and the secondL*, a*, b* color value may be in the range of about 2 to about 19, orabout 3.4 to about 19, according to the Nonwoven-Backsheet LaminateColor Test. A portion of the one or more graphics 400 may also have an Lvalue less than 95 or less than 90, but greater than 5, according to theNonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test. The one or more graphics 400 mayalso exhibit any of the other chroma values; L*, a*, b* color values; orindividual L*, a*, or b* values; delta E values, or other values, suchas non-printed or non-tinted area, for example, disclosed herein.

FIG. 26 is a plan view of a backsheet 28, with similar or the samefeatures having the same reference numbering as FIG. 23, and with thegarment-facing surface 408 facing the viewer. FIG. 27 is a plan view ofan outer cover nonwoven material 410 or nonwoven topsheet, with similaror the same features having the same reference numbering as FIG. 24, andwith the garment-facing surface 412 facing the viewer. FIG. 28 is a planview of a laminate 414 of the outer cover nonwoven material 410 of FIG.27 overlapping the backsheet 28 of FIG. 26, with similar or the samefeatures having the same reference numbering as FIG. 25, and with thegarment-facing surface 412 facing the viewer. In FIG. 28, a landing zonearea 413 may be present where a discrete landing zone may be attached tothe outer cover nonwoven material. The color values, L*, a*, b* values,individual L*, a*, or b* value, chroma values, delta E values, or othervalues, such as non-printed or non-tinted area, for example may be thesame as or similar to that described herein with respect to FIGS. 23-25or otherwise disclosed herein.

Delta E

Delta E is the difference in color value between a first color value anda second color value. Below a certain delta E, a human eye cannot detecta difference. Humanly detectable delta E values between two colors aregreater than 2, greater than 3.4, or greater than 3.5, for example. Arange of suitable delta E values for the first and second L*, a*, b*color values of one or more graphics may be in the range of about 2 toabout 19, about 2 to about 16, about 3.4 to about 19, about 3.4 to about16, about 3.5 to about 19, about 3.5 to about 16, about 5 to about 16,about 6 to about 15, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about12, about 11, about 13, about 14, or about 15, specifically reciting all0.1 increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed thereinor thereby.

Recognizable, Discrete Indicia

As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 23, the one or more graphics 400 onthe backsheet 28 may comprise or form one or more recognizable, discreteindicia. In FIG. 23, the recognizable, discrete indicia may be a bunnyor a cloud. The recognizable, discrete indicia may also comprise a word,a slogan, a brand name, a wetness indicator (or portion thereof), adesign, an icon, a logo, a letter, a number, a size indicator, afront/back indicator, a character, an animal, a face, a heart, a symbol,or the like. FIG. 29 is a plan view of an outer cover nonwoven material40 or a topsheet. The outer cover nonwoven material 410 or a topsheetmay comprise a recognizable, discrete indicia 416. In FIG. 29, therecognizable, discrete indicia may be bunnies or clouds, for example.The recognizable, discrete indicia may be formed by the visuallydiscernible pattern of three-dimensional features 402. The backsheetand/or the outer cover nonwoven material may have between about 2 about25, between about 2 and about 20, or between about 2 about 15recognizable discrete indicia. It will be understood that this visuallydiscernible pattern of three-dimensional features 402 may be present onthe garment-facing surface or the wearer-facing surface. At least someof the three-dimensional features may comprise a first region 404 and asecond region 406. The first regions 404 may have a first value of anaverage intensive property. The second regions 406 may have a secondvalue of an average intensive property. The first and second values ofthe average intensity properties may be different. The average intensiveproperty may be basis weight and the basis weight of the first andsecond regions 404, 406 may both be greater than zero. The averageintensive property may be volumetric density and the volumetric densityof the first and second regions 404, 406 may both be greater than zero.The average intensive properties may be thickness and the thickness ofthe first and second regions 404, 406 may both be greater than zero. Thevisually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features 402 may beformed of a plurality of second repeat units that may be larger orsmaller than the plurality of first repeat units of the one or moregraphics 400. The garment-facing surface 412 may have a TS7 value ofless than about 15 dB V² rms, according to the Emtec Test (or other TS7,TS750, and D values specified herein.)

Recognizable, Discrete Indicia Area and Repeat per Outer Cover NonwovenMaterial or Topsheet

The recognizable, discrete indicia formed by the one or more graphics400 on the backsheet 28 or by the visually discernible pattern on theouter cover nonwoven material 40 or topsheet may have an area in therange of about 30 mm² to about 10,000 mm² about 40 mm² to about 8,000mm², about 40 mm² to about 3,000 mm², about 40 mm² to about 2,000 mm²,about 40 mm² to about 500 mm², about 45 mm² to about 300 mm², or may beabout 52 mm², about 85 mm², about 96 mm², about 157 mm², about 171 mm²,about 279 mm², about 1,198 mm², about 1,950 mm², or about 4,453 mm²,specifically reciting all 0.5 min increments within the specified rangesand all ranges defined therein or thereby. A backsheet 28, outer covernonwoven material 40, and/or topsheet, may have at least onerecognizable, discrete indicia or a plurality of recognizable, discreteindicia. If more than one recognizable, discrete indicia is provided onthe backsheet, the outer cover nonwoven material, or the topsheet, therecognizable, discrete indicia may be the same or different on thevarious components. Some recognizable, discrete indicia may be the same,while other recognizable, discrete indicia may be different on thevarious components. As an example, a backsheet, outer cover nonwovenmaterial, and/or topsheet may have about 1 to about 50, about 2 to about40, about 2 to about 30, about 2 to about 25, or about 2 to about 20,recognizable, discrete indicia, specifically reciting all 1 incrementswithin the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.The recognizable, discrete indicia may be oriented the same ordifferently on the same materials and/or on different materials. Anexample laminate with recognizable, discrete indicia is the outer covernonwoven material of FIG. 29 overlapped with the backsheet of FIG. 23.In such a fashion, the recognizable, discrete indicia of FIG. 29 maycoordinate with the recognizable discrete indicia of FIG. 23 (e.g.,bunnies to bunnies and clouds to clouds).

Stitch-Like Patterns

The backsheet, in addition to the various graphics 400 discussed herein,may comprise a stitch-like pattern on the garment-facing surface or thewearer-facing surface thereof. The stitch-like pattern may surround, orpartially surround the graphics 400. Typically, the stitch-like patterndoes not overlap the graphics 400 or is free from overlap with thegraphics 400. In some instances, the stitch-like pattern may overlap thegraphics 400 or portions thereof. In some instances, a stitch-likepattern may be used without the graphics 400. FIGS. 30-32 illustrateexamples of stitch-like patterns 500. Of course, graphics 400 may alsobe present within the stitch-like patterns. The stitch-like patterns onbacksheets paired with the outer cover nonwoven materials and/or thetopsheets with visually discernable patterns disclosed herein providethe absorbent articles of the present disclosure with a clothing-like,soft appearance, which is consumer desirable. As depicted in FIGS. 30and 31, the stitch-like patterns may comprise a plurality of linearelements 502. In an absorbent article, the linear elements 502 typicallyextend in a direction generally parallel to the central longitudinalaxis of the absorbent article, but may also extend in other directions.Generally parallel, in this context, means +/− 10 degrees relative tothe central longitudinal axis of the absorbent article. The linearelements may also extend in a range of about 11 degrees to about 90degrees relative to the central longitudinal axis of the absorbentarticle, such as about 45 degrees, for example. The linear elements maybe continuous or discontinuous. The linear elements may contain arcuateportions so as to form wavy linear elements. The linear elements may bespaced a distance apart, from each other in a horizontal direction. Thatdistance may be in the range of about 1 mm to about 15 mm, about 1.5 mmto about 15 mm, about 2 mm to about 1.2 mm, about 2 mm to about 10 mm,about 2 mm to about 8 mm, about 2 mm to about 5 mm, or about 1.5 mm toabout 4 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within thespecified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The distancebetween two adjacent linear elements may vary or may be consistentwithin a stitch-like pattern. Distances below 1 mm between the linearelements create the impression of a “flood” of color and significantlyreduce the aesthetic benefits of the stitch-like pattern. The linearelements themselves may have a horizontal thickness in the range ofabout 0.2 mm to about 5 mm, about 0.3 mm to about 5 mm, about 0.4 mm toabout 4 mm, or about 0.5 to about 3 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mmincrements within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein orthereby. Two adjacent linear elements 502 may be connected to each otherby a plurality of connecting elements 504. The connecting elements 504may extend generally horizontally between the liner elements 502 or mayextend at non-horizontal angle. Different connecting elements may extendin the same direction or in different directions. From about 5 to about100 connecting elements 504 may extend between two adjacent linearelements 502. In other stitch-like patterns, such as the patternillustrated in FIG. 32, no linear elements may be provided. Thestitch-like pattern may cover about 20% to about 95% of an overallsurface area of the backsheet.

FIG. 33 is a plan view of a liquid impermeable backsheet comprising oneor more visually vibrant graphics. The wetness indicator 80 may or maynot comprise a portion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics. Thebacksheet may comprise a stitch-like pattern as described above. In someinstances, it may be desirable to include a non-printed zone, a nographics zone, a light graphics zone, a no color zone, or a white zone(together “zone 600”) surrounding the wetness indicator 80 so that thewetness indicator 80 remains clearly visible to a caregiver and is notmuted by the visually vibrant graphics. In other instances, the zone 600surrounding the wetness indicator 80 may be a different color than atleast a portion of the remainder of the graphics and the wetnessindicator so that the wetness indicator remains clearly visible to acaregiver. In an instance, the zone 600 may be phased or have a gradientto make the wetness indicator 80 more visible and have less of a harshline of graphics/no graphics or color/no color. For instance, graphicsin the zone 600 more distal from the wetness indicator 80 may be darkeror more visible than graphics in the zone 600 more proximal to thewetness indicator 80. In another instance, graphics in the zone 600 moredistal from the wetness indicator 80 may be visible while areas of thezone 600 more proximal to the wetness indicator may be graphics free orcolor free. The zone 600 of different color or graphics or the zone ofno color or graphics may fully, or at least partially, surround thewetness indicator 80.

Examples/Combinations:

1. An absorbent article comprising:

-   -   a liquid permeable topsheet;    -   a liquid impermeable backsheet;    -   an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the        topsheet and the backsheet; and    -   the liquid permeable topsheet comprising:        -   a first wearer-facing surface;        -   a second backsheet-facing surface; and        -   a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features            on the first surface or the second surface, wherein at least            some of the three-dimensional features each comprise a first            region and a second region;        -   wherein the first regions have a first value of an average            intensive property;        -   wherein the second regions have a second value of the            average intensive property;        -   and wherein the first value and the second value are            different;    -   wherein a wearer-facing side of the backsheet comprises one or        more visually vibrant graphics;    -   wherein a portion of the visually discernible pattern of        three-dimensional features overlaps a portion of the one or more        visually vibrant graphics; and    -   wherein the portion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics        exhibits a chroma value greater than 8, according to the        Backsheet Graphic Color Test.        2. The absorbent article of Paragraph 1, wherein the        wearer-facing side of the backsheet has a non-printed area of        about 5% to about 80%, relative to an entire area of the        wearer-facing side of the backsheet.        3. The absorbent article of Paragraph 1 or 2, wherein the        portion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics has a        chroma value in the range of about 8 to about 130, according to        the Backsheet Graphic Color Test.        4. The absorbent article of any one of the preceding paragraphs,        wherein the one or more visually vibrant graphics are formed of        a plurality of first repeat units, and wherein the visually        discernible pattern of three-dimensional features is formed of a        plurality of second repeat units.        5. The absorbent article of Paragraph 4, wherein the first        repeat units are smaller than the second repeat units.        6. The absorbent article of Paragraph 4, wherein the second        repeat units are smaller than the first repeat units.        7. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 1-3, wherein        the visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features        forms one or more first recognizable, discrete indicia, wherein        the one or more visually vibrant graphics forms one or more        second recognizable, discrete indicia, and wherein the one or        more first recognizable, discrete indicia coordinates with the        one or more second recognizable, discrete indicia.        8. The absorbent article of any one of the preceding paragraphs,        wherein the first wearer-facing surface has a TS7 value of less        than about 15 dB V² rms, according to the Emtec. Test.        9. The absorbent article of any one of the preceding paragraphs,        wherein the average intensive property is thickness, and wherein        the thickness of every region is greater than zero.        10. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 1-8, wherein        the average intensive property is basis weight, and wherein the        basis weight of every region is greater than zero.        11. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 1-8, wherein        the average intensive property is volumetric density, and        wherein the volumetric density of every region is greater than        zero.        12. An absorbent article comprising:    -   a liquid permeable topsheet;    -   a liquid impermeable backsheet;    -   an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the        topsheet and the backsheet; and    -   the liquid permeable topsheet comprising:        -   a first wearer-facing surface;        -   a second backsheet-facing surface; and        -   a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features            on the first surface or the second surface, wherein at least            some of the three-dimensional features each comprise a first            region and a second region;        -   wherein the first regions have a first value of an average            intensive property;        -   wherein the second regions have a second value of the            average intensive property;        -   and wherein the first value and the second value are            different;    -   wherein a wearer-facing side of the backsheet comprises one or        more visually vibrant graphics;    -   wherein a portion of the visually discernible pattern of        three-dimensional features overlaps a portion of the visually        vibrant one or more graphics;    -   wherein the portion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics        exhibits a first b* color value, when measured through the first        regions of the three-dimensional features, according to the        Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test; and    -   wherein the portion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics        exhibits a second, different L*, a*, b*, color value, when        measured through the second regions of the three-dimensional        features, according to the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color        Test.        13. The absorbent article of Paragraph 12, wherein the first L*,        a*, b*, color value has an L value in the range of about 5 to        about 95, an a* value in the range of about −90 to about 90, and        a b* value in the range of about −90 to about 90, when measured        through the first regions of the three-dimensional features,        according to the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test.        14. The absorbent article of Paragraph 13, wherein the second        L*, a*, b*, color value has an L* value in the range of about 5        to about 95, an a* value in the range of about −90 to about 90,        and a b* value in the range of about −90 to about 90, when        measured through the second regions of the three-dimensional        features, according to the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color        Test.        15. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 12-14,        wherein the portion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics        exhibits a chroma value greater than 8, according to the        Backsheet Graphic Color Test.        16. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 12-15,        wherein a delta E between the first L* b*, color value and the        second L*, a*, b*, color value is at least 2, according to the        Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test.        17. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 12-15,        wherein a delta E between the first L*, a*, b*, color value and        the second L*, a*, b*, color value is in the range of about 2        and about 19, according to the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color        Test.        18. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 12-17,        wherein the wearer-facing side of the backsheet has a        non-printed area of about 5% to about 80%, relative to an entire        area of the wearer-facing side of the backsheet.        19. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 12-18,        wherein the one or more visually vibrant graphics are formed of        a plurality of first repeat units, and wherein the visually        discernible pattern of three-dimensional features is formed of a        plurality of second repeat units        20. The absorbent article of Paragraph 19, wherein the first        repeat units are smaller than the second repeat units.        21. The absorbent article of Paragraph 19, wherein the second        repeat units are smaller than the first repeat units.        22. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 12-18,        wherein the visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional        features forms one or more first recognizable, discrete indicia,        wherein the one or more visually vibrant graphics forms one or        more second recognizable, discrete indicia, and wherein the one        or more first recognizable, discrete indicia coordinates with        the one or more second recognizable, discrete indicia.        23. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 12-22,        wherein the first wearer-facing surface has a TS7 value of less        than about 15 dB V² rms, according to the Emtec Test.        24. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 12-23,        wherein the average intensive property is thickness, and wherein        the thickness of every region is greater than zero.        25. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 12-23,        wherein the average intensive property is basis weight, and        wherein the basis weight of every region is greater than zero.        26. The absorbent article of any one of Paragraphs 12-23,        wherein the average intensive property is volumetric density,        and wherein the volumetric density of every region is greater        than zero.        27. An absorbent article comprising:    -   a liquid permeable topsheet;    -   a liquid impermeable backsheet;    -   an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the        topsheet and the backsheet; and    -   the liquid permeable topsheet comprising:        -   a first wearer-facing surface;        -   a second backsheet-facing surface; and        -   a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features            on the first surface or the second surface, wherein at least            some of the three-dimensional features each comprise a first            region and a second region;        -   wherein the first regions have a first value of an average            intensive property;        -   wherein the second regions have a second value of the            average intensive property;        -   and wherein the first value and the second value are            different;    -   wherein a wearer-facing side of the backsheet comprises one or        more visually vibrant graphics;    -   wherein a portion of the visually discernible pattern of        three-dimensional features overlaps a portion of the one or more        visually vibrant graphics; and    -   wherein the portion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics        exhibits an L* value less than 95, according to the        Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test.        28. The absorbent article of Paragraph 27, wherein the portion        of the one or more visually vibrant graphics exhibits a chroma        value less than 130, according to the Backsheet Graphic Color        Test.        29. An absorbent article comprising:    -   a liquid permeable topsheet;    -   a liquid impermeable backsheet;    -   an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the        topsheet and the backsheet; and    -   wherein the liquid permeable topsheet comprises:        -   a first wearer-facing surface;        -   a second garment-facing surface; and        -   a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features            on the first surface or the second surface, wherein at least            some of the three-dimensional features each comprise a first            region and a second region;        -   wherein the first regions have a first value of an average            intensive property;        -   wherein the second regions have a second value of the            average intensive property;        -   and wherein the first value and the second value are            different;    -   wherein a wearer-facing side of the backsheet comprises one or        more visually vibrant graphics;    -   wherein a portion of the visually discernible pattern of        three-dimensional features overlaps a portion of the one or more        visually vibrant graphics; and    -   wherein the portion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics        exhibits a chroma value greater than 8, according to the        Backsheet Graphic Color Test;    -   wherein the topsheet comprises 2 to 25 recognizable, discrete        indicia.        30. An absorbent article comprising:    -   a liquid permeable topsheet;    -   a liquid impermeable backsheet;    -   an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the        topsheet and the backsheet; and    -   an outer cover nonwoven material comprising:        -   a first garment-facing surface;        -   a second backsheet-facing surface; and        -   a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features            on the first surface or the second surface, wherein at least            some of the three-dimensional features each comprise a first            region and a second region;        -   wherein the first regions have a first value of an average            intensive property;        -   wherein the second regions have a second value of the            average intensive property;        -   and wherein the first value and the second value are            different;    -   wherein a garment-facing side of the backsheet comprises one or        more visually vibrant graphics;    -   wherein a portion of the visually discernible pattern of        three-dimensional features overlaps a portion of the one or more        visually vibrant graphics; and    -   wherein the portion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics        exhibits an L* value less than 95, according to the        Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test.        31. The absorbent article of Paragraph 30, wherein the portion        of the one or more visually vibrant graphics exhibits a chroma        value less than 130, according to the Backsheet Graphic Color        Test.

Test Methods Backsheet Graphic Color Test

Chroma values are a measure of the vividness or vibrancy of color in abacksheet graphic. Generally, Chroma is calculated from the reflectancemeasurements of the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color values. Chroma is measuredusing a spectrophotometer with a computer interface (a suitableinstrument is the HunterLab LabScan XE running Universal Software, asavailable from Hunter Associates Laboratory Inc., Reston, Va.). Alltesting is performed in a conditioned room maintained at about 23±2° C.and about 50±2% relative humidity.

To obtain a sample, carefully remove the backsheet film layer ofmaterial from an absorbent article. A cryogenic spray (such asCyto-Freeze, Control Company, Houston Tex.) can be used to remove thesample from the underlying and overlaying layers, if necessary. Identifya region of the sample containing a homogeneous colored graphic as thetesting site. If the sample at the testing site contains any holes,tears, or other physical deformations another site is to be selected.Ensure that all adhesive and nonwoven fibers have been completelyremoved from the testing site. A layer of raw backsheet film materialwith a graphic, obtained prior to incorporation into an absorbentarticle, may also be tested. Precondition the samples at about 23° C.±2C.° and about 50%±2% relative humidity for 2 hours prior to testing.

Select the disk with the largest measurement port size that can fitwithin the selected homogeneous colored graphic testing site.Standardize the instrument using the selected port size (indicate theappropriate area view to the software) utilizing the manufacturersupplied black tile, then white tile. Calibrate the instrument accordingto manufacturer's specifications using their supplied standard tiles.Configure the software to measure color using the CIE 1976 L*a*b* colorscale, D65 illuminant and 10° standard observer.

Place the sample over the measurement port, with the garment-facingsurface or the wearer-facing surface oriented toward the instrument,depending on what surface the graphic is on. Gently pull the sampletaut, without stretching, to ensure that it does not pillow into theport, and then back it with the standard white tile. Make sure that thearea of the sample to be measured faces the port and completely coversthe port. Take a reading and record the individual L*, a*, and b*values, then remove the white tile and sample. Calculate the Chromavalue for the sample according to the following equation:

Chroma=√{square root over (a*²+b*²)}

The Chroma value for the sample is recorded to the nearest 0.1 units.

Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test

The purpose of this test is to measure the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color valuesof a backsheet graphic visible through a region of an outer covernonwoven material and/or topsheet, and calculate the delta E, or themagnitude of color difference, between two regions. A flatbed scannercapable of scanning a minimum of 24 bit color at 2400 dpi with manualcontrol of color management (a suitable scanner is an Epson PerfectionV750 Pro from Epson America Inc., Long Beach Calif., or equivalent) isused to acquire images. The scanner is interfaced with a computerrunning color calibration software capable of calibrating the scanneragainst a color reflection IT8 target utilizing a correspondingreference file compliant with ANSI method IT8.7/2-1993 (suitable colorcalibration software is Monaco EZColor or i1Studio available from X-RiteGrand Rapids, Mich., or equivalent). The color calibration softwareconstructs an International Color Consortium (ICC) color profile for thescanner, which is used to color correct an output image using an imageanalysis program that supports application of ICC profiles (a suitableprogram is Photoshop available from Adobe Systems Inc., San Jose,Calif., or equivalent). The color corrected image is then converted tointo the CIE L*a*b* color space for subsequent color analysis (asuitable image color analysis software is MATLAB available from TheMathworks, Inc., Natick, Mass.).

To obtain a sample, carefully remove the outer cover nonwoven materialand backsheet film laminate or topsheet and backsheet film laminate froman absorbent article. A cryogenic spray (such as Cyto-Freeze, ControlCompany, Houston Tex.) can be used to remove the sample from theunderlying layers if necessary. Identify a portion of the sample wherethe visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features in theouter cover nonwoven material or topsheet overlaps a portion of ahomogeneous colored graphic on the backsheet film as the testing site.If the sample at the testing site contains any holes, tears, or otherphysical deformations, other than three-dimensional features, anothersite is to be selected. A laminate of an outer cover nonwoven materialand a backsheet film or a laminate of a topsheet and a backsheet filmwith a graphic obtained prior to incorporation into an absorbent articlemay also be tested. Precondition the samples at about 23° C.±2 C.° andabout 50%±2% relative humidity for 2 hours prior to testing.

The scanner is turned on 30 minutes prior to calibration and imageacquisition. Deselect any automatic color correction or color managementoptions that may be included in the scanner software. If the automaticcolor management cannot be disabled, the scanner is not appropriate forthis application. The recommended procedures of the color calibrationsoftware are followed to create and export an ICC color profile for thescanner. The color calibration software compares an acquired IT8 targetimage to a corresponding reference file to create and export the ICCcolor profile for a scanner, which will be applied within the imageanalysis program to correct the color of subsequent output images.

The scanner lid is opened and the sample carefully laid flat on thecenter of the scanner glass with the wearer-facing surface (if atopsheet/backsheet film laminate) or with the garment-facing surface (ifan outer cover nonwoven material/backsheet film laminate) of the testingsite oriented toward the glass. A scan containing the entire testingsite is acquired and imported into the image analysis software at 24 bitcolor with a resolution of 2400 dpi (approximately 94.5 pixels per mm)in reflectance mode. The ICC color profile is assigned to the imageproducing a color corrected sRGB image. This calibrated image is savedin an uncompressed format to retain the calibrated R,G,B color values,such as a TIFF file, prior to analysis.

The sRGB color calibrated image is opened in the color analysissoftware, and converted into the CIE L*a*b* color space. This isaccomplished by the following procedure. First, the sRGB data is scaledinto a range of [0, 1] by dividing each of the values by 255. Then thecompanded sRGB channels (denoted with upper case (R,G,B), or genericallyV) are linearized (denoted with lower case (r,g,b), or generically v) asthe following operation is performed on all three channels (R, G, andB):

V ∈ {R, G, B} v ∈ {r, g, b} $v = \begin{Bmatrix}{{\frac{V}{12.92}\mspace{14mu}{if}\mspace{14mu} V} \leq 0.04045} \\{\left( \frac{V + 0.055}{1.055} \right)^{2.4}\mspace{14mu}{otherwise}}\end{Bmatrix}$

The linear r, g, and b values are then multiplied by a matrix to obtainthe XYZ Tristimulus values according to the following formula:

$\begin{bmatrix}X \\Y \\Z\end{bmatrix} = {\begin{bmatrix}{{0.4}124} & {{0.3}576} & {{0.1}805} \\{{0.2}126} & {{0.7}152} & {{0.0}722} \\{{0.0}193} & {{0.1}192} & {{0.9}505}\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}r \\g \\b\end{bmatrix}}$

The XYZ Tristimulus values are rescaled by multiplying the values by100, and then converted into CIE 1976 L*a*b* values as defined in CIE15:2004 section 8.2.1.1 using D65 reference white.

The CIE L*a*b* image is analyzed by identifying and manually drawing aregion of interest (ROI) around the visibly discernable perimeter of afirst region. The average L*, a*, and b* color values within the ROI aremeasured and recorded as L*₁, a*₁, and b*₁. A second region, havingdifferent intensive properties from the first region, is identified anda region of interest (ROI) is manually drawn around its visiblydiscernable perimeter. The average L*, a*, and b* color values are thenmeasured for the second region, and recorded as L*₂, a*₂, and b*₂. TheDelta E value is then calculated according to the following equation:

Delta E=√{square root over ((L*₂−L*₁)²+(a*₂−a*₁)²+(b*₂−b*₁)²)}

The individual L*, a*, and b* color values for the two regions, andDelta E value are reported to the nearest 0.1 units.

Air Permeability Test Method

The Air Permeability Test is used to determine the level of air flow incubic feet per minute (cfm) through a forming belt. The Air PermeabilityTest is performed on a Texas Instruments model FX3360 Portair AirPermeability Tester, available from Textest AG, Sonnenbergstrasse 72, CH8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland. The unit utilizes a 20.7 mm orificeplate for air permeability ranges between 300-1000 cfm. If airpermeability is lower than 300 cfm the orifice plate needs to bereduced; if higher than 1000 cfm the orifice plate needs to beincreased. Air permeability can be measured in localized zones of aforming belt to determine differences in air permeability across aforming belt.

Test Procedure

-   -   1. Power on the FX3360 instrument.    -   2. Select a pre-determined style having the following setup:        -   a. Material: Standard        -   Measurement Property: Air Permeability (AP)        -   c. Test Pressure: 125 Pa (pascals)        -   d. T-factor: 1.00        -   e. Test point pitch: 0.8 inch.    -   3. Position the 20.7 mm orifice plate on the top side of the        forming belt (the side with the three-dimensional protrusions)        at the position of interest.    -   4. Selecting “Spot Measurement” on the touch screen of the        testing unit    -   5. Reset the sensor prior to measurement, if necessary.    -   6. Once reset, select the “Start” button to begin measurement.    -   7. Wait until the measurement stabilizes and record the cfm        reading on the screen.    -   8. Select the “Start” button again to stop measurement.

Basis Weight Test

Basis weight of the nonwoven webs described herein may be determined byseveral available techniques, but a simple representative techniqueinvolves taking an absorbent article or other consumer product, removingany elastic which may be present and stretching the absorbent article orother consumer product to its full length. A punch die having an area of45.6 cm² is then used to cut a piece of the nonwoven web (e.g., topsheet, outer cover nonwoven material) from the approximate center of theabsorbent article or other consumer product in a location which avoidsto the greatest extent possible any adhesive which may be used to fastenthe nonwoven web to any other layers which may be present and removingthe nonwoven web from other layers (using cryogenic spray, such asCyto-Freeze, Control Company, Houston, Tex., if needed). The sample isthen weighed and dividing by the area of the punch die yields the basisweight of the nonwoven web. Results are reported as a mean of 5 samplesto the nearest 0.1 gram per square meter (gsm).

Emtec Test

The Emtec Test is performed on portions of nonwoven webs of interest. Inthis test, TS7, TS750, and D values are measured using an Emtec TissueSoftness Analyzer (“Emtec TSA”) (Emtec Electronic GmbH, Leipzig,Germany) interfaced with a computer running Emtec TSA software (version3.19 or equivalent). The Emtec TSA includes a rotor with vertical bladeswhich rotate on the test sample at a defined and calibrated rotationalspeed (set by manufacturer) and contact force of 100 mN. Contact betweenthe vertical blades and the test sample creates vibrations both in theblades and in the test piece, and the resulting sound is recorded by amicrophone within the instrument. The recorded sound file is thenanalyzed by the Emtec TSA software to determine TS7 and TS750 values.The D value is a measure of sample stiffness and is based on thevertical distance required for the contact force of the blades on testsample to be increased from 100 mN to 600 mN. The sample preparation,instrument operation, and testing procedures are performed according theinstrument manufacturer's specifications.

Sample Preparation

A test sample is prepared by cutting a square or circular portion ofinterest from a nonwoven web of an absorbent article. It is preferablethat freeze spray is not used to remove the nonwoven web to be analyzedfrom the absorbent article, though it is acceptable to use freeze sprayin a distal region to aid in initiating the separation of layers. Testsamples are cut to a length and width (diameter in the case of acircular sample) of no less than about 90 mm and no greater than about120 mm to ensure the sample can be clamped into the TSA instrumentproperly. (If an absorbent article does not contain a sufficiently largearea of the substrate of interest to extract a sample of the sizespecified above, it is acceptable to sample equivalent material fromroll stock.) Test samples are selected to avoid unusually large creasesor folds within the testing region. Six substantially similar replicatesamples are prepared for testing.

All samples are equilibrated at TAPPI standard temperature and relativehumidity conditions (23° C.±2 C.° and 50%±2%) for at least 2 hours priorto conducting the TSA testing, which is also conducted under TAPPIconditions.

Testing Procedure

The instrument is calibrated according to the Emtec's instructions usingthe 1-point calibration method with the appropriate reference standards(so-called “ref.2 samples,” or equivalent, available from Emtec).

A test sample is mounted in the instrument with the surface of interestfacing upward, and the test is performed according to the manufacturer'sinstructions. The software displays values for TS7, TS750, and D whenthe automated instrument testing routine is complete. TS7 and TS750 areeach recorded to the nearest 0.01 dB V² rms, and D is recorded to thenearest 0.01 mm/N. The test sample is then removed from the instrumentand discarded. This testing procedure is performed individually on thecorresponding surfaces of interest of each of the six of the replicatesamples (wearer-facing surface for topsheet samples and garment-facingsurface for outer cover nonwoven material samples).

The value of TS7, TS750, and D are each averaged (arithmetic mean)across the six sample replicates. The average values of TS7 and TS750are reported to the nearest 0.01 dB V² rms. The average value of D isreported to the nearest 0.01 mm/N.

Micro-CT Intensive Property Measurement Method

The micro-CT intensive property Measurement method measures the basisweight, thickness and volumetric density values within visuallydiscernable regions of a substrate sample. It is based on analysis of a3D x-ray sample image obtained on a micro-CT instrument (a suitableinstrument is the Scanco μCT 50 available from Scanco Medical AGSwitzerland, or equivalent). The micro-CT instrument is a cone beammicrotomograph with a shielded cabinet. A maintenance free x-ray tube isused as the source with an adjustable diameter focal spot. The x-raybeam passes through the sample, where some of the x-rays are attenuatedby the sample. The extent of attenuation correlates to the mass ofmaterial the x-rays have to pass through. The transmitted x-rayscontinue on to the digital detector array and generate a 2D projectionimage of the sample. A 3D image of the sample is generated by collectingseveral individual projection images of the sample as it is rotated,which are then reconstructed into a single 3D image. The instrument isinterfaced with a computer running software to control the imageacquisition and save the raw data. The 3D image is then analyzed usingimage analysis software (a suitable image analysis software is MATLABavailable from The Mathworks, Inc., Natick, Mass., or equivalent) tomeasure the basis weight, thickness and volumetric density intensiveproperties of regions within the sample.

Sample Preparation:

To obtain a sample for measurement, lay a single layer of the drysubstrate material out flat and die cut a circular piece with a diameterof 30 mm.

If the substrate material is a layer of an absorbent article, forexample a topsheet, backsheet outer cover nonwoven material, acquisitionlayer, distribution layer, or other component layer; tape the absorbentarticle to a rigid flat surface in a planar configuration. Carefullyseparate the individual substrate layer from the absorbent article. Ascalpel and/or cryogenic spray (such as Cyto-Freeze, Control Company,Houston Tex.) can be used to remove a substrate layer from additionalunderlying layers, if necessary, to avoid any longitudinal and lateralextension of the material. Once the substrate layer has been removedfrom the article proceed with die cutting the sample as described above.

If the substrate material is in the form of a wet wipe, open a newpackage of wet wipes and remove the entire stack from the package.Remove a single wipe from the middle of the stack, lay it out flat andallow it to dry completely prior to die cutting the sample for analysis.

A sample may be cut from any location containing the visuallydiscernible zone to be analyzed. Within a zone, regions to be analyzedare ones associated with a three-dimensional feature defining amicrozone. The microzone comprises a least two visually discernibleregions. A zone, three-dimensional feature, or microzone may be visuallydiscernable due to changes in texture, elevation, or thickness. Regionswithin different samples taken from the same substrate material may beanalyzed and compared to each other. Care should be taken to avoidfolds, wrinkles or tears when selecting a location for sampling.

Image Acquisition:

Set up and calibrate the micro-CT instrument according to themanufacturer's specifications. Place the sample into the appropriateholder, between two rings of low density material, which have an innerdiameter of 25 mm. This will allow the central portion of the sample tolay horizontal and be scanned without having any other materialsdirectly adjacent to its upper and lower surfaces. Measurements shouldbe taken in this region. The 3D image field of view is approximately 35mm on each side in the xy-plane with a resolution of approximately 5000by 5000 pixels, and with a sufficient number of 7 micron thick slicescollected to fully include the z-direction of the sample. Thereconstructed 3D image resolution contains isotropic voxels of 7microns. Images are acquired with the source at 45 kVp and 133 μA withno additional low energy filter. These current and voltage settings maybe optimized to produce the maximum contrast in the projection data withsufficient x-ray penetration through the sample, but once optimized heldconstant for all substantially similar samples. A total of 1500projections images are obtained with an integration time of 1000 ms and3 averages. The projection images are reconstructed into the 3D image,and saved in 16-bit RAW format to preserve the full detector outputsignal for analysis.

Image Processing:

Load the 3D image into the image analysis software. Threshold the 3Dimage at a value which separates, and removes, the background signal dueto air, but maintains the signal from the sample fibers within thesubstrate.

Three 2D intensive property images are generated from the thresheld 3Dimage. The first is the Basis Weight Image. To generate this image, thevalue for each voxel in an xy-plane slice is summed with all of itscorresponding voxel values in the other z-direction slices containingsignal from the sample. This creates a 2D image where each pixel now hasa value equal to the cumulative signal through the entire sample.

In order to convert the raw data values in the Basis Weight Image intoreal values a basis weight calibration curve is generated. Obtain asubstrate that is of substantially similar composition as the samplebeing analyzed and has a uniform basis weight. Follow the proceduresdescribed above to obtain at least ten replicate samples of thecalibration curve substrate. Accurately measure the basis weight, bytaking the mass to the nearest 0.0001 g and dividing by the sample areaand converting to grams per square meter (gsm), of each of the singlelayer calibration samples and calculate the average to the nearest 0.01gsm. Following the procedures described above, acquire a micro-CT imageof a single layer of the calibration sample substrate. Following theprocedure described above process the micro-CT image, and generate aBasis Weight Image containing raw data values. The real basis weightvalue for this sample is the average basis weight value measured on thecalibration samples. Next, stack two layers of the calibration substratesamples on top of each other, and acquire a micro-CT image of the twolayers of calibration substrate. Generate a basis weight raw data imageof both layers together, whose real basis weight value is equal to twicethe average basis weight value measured on the calibration samples.Repeat this procedure of stacking single layers of the calibrationsubstrate, acquiring a micro-CT image of all of the layers, generating araw data basis weight image of all of the layers, the real basis weightvalue of which is equal to the number of layers times the average basisweight value measured on the calibration samples. A total of at leastfour different basis weight calibration images are obtained. The basisweight values of the calibration samples must include values above andbelow the basis weight values of the original sample being analyzed toensure an accurate calibration. The calibration curve is generated byperforming a linear regression on the raw data versus the real basisweight values for the four calibration samples. This linear regressionmust have an R2 value of at least 0.95, if not repeat the entirecalibration procedure. This calibration curve is now used to convert theraw data values into real basis weights.

The second intensive property 2D image is the Thickness Image. Togenerate this image the upper and lower surfaces of the sample areidentified, and the distance between these surfaces is calculated givingthe sample thickness. The upper surface of the sample is identified bystarting at the uppermost z-direction slice and evaluating each slicegoing through the sample to locate the z-direction voxel for all pixelpositions in the xy-plane where sample signal was first detected. Thesame procedure is followed for identifying the lower surface of thesample, except the z-direction voxels located are all the positions inthe xy-plane where sample signal was last detected. Once the upper andlower surfaces have been identified they are smoothed with a 15×15median filter to remove signal from stray fibers. The 2D Thickness Imageis then generated by counting the number of voxels that exist betweenthe upper and lower surfaces for each of the pixel positions in thexy-plane. This raw thickness value is then converted to actual distance,in microns, by multiplying the voxel count by the 7 μm slice thicknessresolution.

The third intensive property 2D image is the Volumetric Density Image.To generate this image divide each xy-plane pixel value in the BasisWeight Image, in units of gsm, by the corresponding pixel in theThickness Image, in units of microns. The units of the VolumetricDensity Image are grams per cubic centimeter (glee).

Micro-CT Basis Weight, Thickness and Volumetric Density IntensiveProperties:

Begin by identifying the region to be analyzed. A region to be analyzedis one associated with a three-dimensional feature defining a microzone.The microzone comprises a least two visually discernible regions. Azone, three-dimensional feature, or microzone may be visuallydiscernable due to changes in texture, elevation, or thickness. Next,identify the boundary, of the region to be analyzed. The boundary of aregion is identified by visual discernment of differences in intensiveproperties when compared to other regions within the sample. Forexample, a region boundary can be identified based by visuallydiscerning a thickness difference when compared to another region in thesample. Any of the intensive properties can be used to discern regionboundaries on either the physical sample itself of any of the micro-CTintensive property images. Once the boundary of the region has beenidentified, draw an oval or circular “region of interest” (ROI) withinthe interior of the region. The ROI should have an area of at least 0.1mm2, and be selected to measure an area with intensive property valuesrepresentative of the identified region. From each of the threeintensive property images calculate the average basis weight, thicknessand volumetric density within the ROI. Record these values as theregion's basis weight to the nearest 0.01 gsm, thickness to the nearest0.1 micron and volumetric density to the nearest 0.0001 glee.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular forms of the present disclosure have been illustratedand described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art thatvarious other changes and modifications can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article comprising: a liquidpermeable topsheet; a liquid impermeable backsheet; an absorbent corepositioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and thebacksheet; and an outer cover nonwoven material comprising: a firstgarment-facing surface; a second backsheet-facing surface; and avisually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on the firstsurface or the second surface, wherein at least some of thethree-dimensional features each comprise a first region and a secondregion; wherein the first regions have a first value of an averageintensive property; wherein the second regions have a second value ofthe average intensive property; and wherein the first value and thesecond value are different; wherein a garment-facing side of thebacksheet comprises one or more visually vibrant graphics; wherein aportion of the visually discernible pattern of three-dimensionalfeatures overlaps a portion of the one or more visually vibrantgraphics; and wherein the portion of the one or more visually vibrantgraphics exhibits a chroma value greater than 8, according to theBacksheet Graphic Color Test.
 2. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the garment-facing side of the backsheet has a non-printed areaof about 5% to about 80%, relative to an entire area of thegarment-facing side of the backsheet.
 3. The absorbent article of claim2, wherein the portion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics hasa chroma value in the range of about 8 to about 130, according to theBacksheet Graphic Color Test.
 4. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the one or more visually vibrant graphics are formed of aplurality of first repeat units, and wherein the visually discerniblepattern of three-dimensional features is formed of a plurality of secondrepeat units.
 5. The absorbent article of claim 4, wherein the firstrepeat units are a different size than the second repeat units.
 6. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the garment-facing side of thebacksheet comprises a stitch-like pattern that is free from overlap withthe visually vibrant graphics.
 7. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional featuresforms one or more first recognizable, discrete indicia, wherein the oneor more visually vibrant graphics forms one or more second recognizable,discrete indicia, and wherein the one or more first recognizable,discrete indicia coordinates with the one or more second recognizable,discrete indicia.
 8. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the firstgarment-facing surface has a TS7 value of less than about 15 dB V² rms,according to the Emtec Test.
 9. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the average intensive property is thickness, and wherein thethickness of every region is greater than zero.
 10. The absorbentarticle of claim 1, wherein the average intensive property is basisweight, and wherein the basis weight of every region is greater thanzero.
 11. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the averageintensive property is volumetric density, and wherein the volumetricdensity of every region is greater than zero.
 12. The absorbent articleof claim 1, wherein a wearer-facing side of the backsheet comprises awetness indicator, and wherein a zone of different color or graphics, ora zone of no color or graphics, at least partially surrounds the wetnessindicator.
 13. An absorbent article comprising: a liquid permeabletopsheet; a liquid impermeable backsheet; an absorbent core positionedat least partially intermediate e topsheet and the backsheet; and anouter cover nonwoven material comprising: a first garment-facingsurface; a second backsheet-facing surface; and a visually discerniblepattern of three-dimensional features on the first surface or the secondsurface, wherein at least some of the three-dimensional features eachcomprise a first region and a second region; wherein the first regionshave a first value of an average intensive property; wherein the secondregions have a second value of the average intensive property; andwherein the first value and the second value are different; wherein agarment-facing side of the backsheet comprises one or more visuallyvibrant graphics; wherein a portion of the visually discernible patternof three-dimensional features overlaps a portion of the one or morevisually vibrant graphics; wherein the portion of the one or morevisually vibrant graphics exhibits a first L*, a*, b* color value, whenmeasured through the first regions of the three-dimensional features,according to the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test; and wherein theportion of the one or more visually vibrant graphics exhibits a second,different L*, a*, b*, color value, when measured through the secondregions of the three-dimensional features, according to theNonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test.
 14. The absorbent article ofclaim 13, wherein the first L*, a*, b*, color value has an L* value inthe range of about 5 to about 95, an a* value in the range of about −90to about 90, and a b* value in the range of about −90 to about 90, whenmeasured through the first regions of the three-dimensional features,according to the Nonwoven-Backsheet Laminate Color Test.
 15. Theabsorbent article of claim 14, wherein the second L*, a*, b*, colorvalue has an L value in the range of about 5 to about 95, an a* value inthe range of about −90 to about 90, and a b* value in the range of about−90 to about 90, when measured through the second regions of thethree-dimensional features, according to the Nonwoven-Backsheet LaminateColor Test.
 16. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the portionof the one or more visually vibrant graphics exhibits a chroma valuegreater than 8, according to the Backsheet Graphic Color Test.
 17. Theabsorbent article of claim 13, wherein a delta E between the first L*,a*, b*, color value and the second L*, a*, b*, color value is in therange of about 2 to about 19, according to the Nonwoven-BacksheetLaminate Color Test.
 18. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein thegarment-facing side of the backsheet has a non-printed area of about 5%to about 80%, relative to an entire area of the garment-facing side ofthe backsheet.
 19. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the one ormore visually vibrant graphics are formed of a plurality of first repeatunits, wherein the visually discernible pattern of three-dimensionalfeatures is formed of a plurality of second repeat units, and whereinthe first repeat units are a different size than the second repeatunits.
 20. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the visuallydiscernible pattern of three-dimensional features forms one or morefirst recognizable, discrete indicia, wherein the one or more visuallyvibrant graphics forms one or more second recognizable, discreteindicia, and wherein the one or more first recognizable, discreteindicia coordinates with the one or more second recognizable, discreteindicia.
 21. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the firstgarment-facing surface has a TS7 value of less than about 15 dB V² rms,according to the Emtec Test, wherein the average intensive property isbasis weight, and wherein the basis weight of every region is greaterthan zero.
 22. An absorbent article comprising: a liquid permeabletopsheet; a liquid impermeable backsheet; an absorbent core positionedat least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet; and anouter cover nonwoven material comprising: a first garment-facingsurface; a second backsheet-facing surface; and a visually discerniblepattern of three-dimensional features on the first surface or the secondsurface, wherein at least some of the three-dimensional features eachcomprise a first region and a second region; wherein the first regionshave a first value of an average intensive property; wherein the secondregions have a second value of the average intensive property; andwherein the first value and the second value are different; wherein agarment-facing side of the backsheet comprises one or more visuallyvibrant graphics; wherein a portion of the visually discernible patternof three-dimensional features overlaps a portion of the one or morevisually vibrant graphics; wherein the portion of the one or morevisually vibrant graphics exhibits a chroma value greater than 8,according to the Backsheet Graphic Color Test; and wherein the outercover nonwoven material comprises 2 to 25 recognizable, discreteindicia.